RENTALS
MARY A. YTURRIA EDUCATION CENTER AT HISTORIC BROWNSVILLE MUSEUM
641 E Madison Street
Brownsville, TX 78520
956.548.1313
LAURELES RANCH HOUSE MUSEUM GROUNDS
1501 East 7th Street
Brownsville, TX 78520
956.372.1515
STILLMAN HOUSE GARDENS
1325 E. Washington Street
Brownsville, TX 78520
956.541.5560
Historical Landmark: Old City Cemetery
The Old City Cemetery was established in 1853 and is recognized as an outstanding historical landmark by the Texas Historical Commission. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The cemetery reveals much of the city's history; from victims of war and gunfights, to those who died from yellow fever and cholera epidemics. Those buried here reveal the hard life and the early conditions of a Texas border town. The Cemetery is located on East Madison Street and East 5th Street and is open daily from 7 AM - 8 PM.
We would like to thank our partners, sponsors and contributors for making our April, May and June programs possible. These include: Linda Mireles, Humanities Texas, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, Ms. Marivel Graham (B.I.S.D.), UTRGV CHAPS, Roseann Bacha-Garza, Dr. Jackie Kyger, Juan Velez and Glenn Simpson of Bay Bees.
EXHIBITS
NOW EXTENDED! Costumes of the Americas Museum Exhibit: Fashioning Her Legacy: Josefa Ibarra
Location: Costumes of the Americas Museum, 1004 E. Sixth Street
Duration: Through June, 2025
Cost: Paid museum admission required.
Discover the vibrant world of Josefa Ibarra through this exclusive exhibit featuring thirty original textiles from the private collection of Linda Mireles. Renowned in Mexico and the United States during the 1960s-1980s, Ibarra's work is celebrated for its bold caftans and abstract designs, deeply influenced by Mexican indigenous culture. Each garment, meticulously handmade in Mexico, revolutionized the fashion world by challenging conventional design norms and material usage. This collection celebrates Ibarra's legacy and her innovative contributions to the world of fashion.
This program is supported by Humanities Texas, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
CHAPS Exhibit - Ancient Landscapes of South Texas: Hiding in Plain Sight
Duration: Wednesday, December 18, 2024 through May 27, 2025
Location: Historic Brownsville Museum, 641 E Madison Street
Cost: Exhibit included with paid museum admission.
Ancient landscapes surround us but are invisible to most. When it comes to human perceptions of our broader natural landscape, it may seem that it is immutable and unchanging. Residents and visitors of the Rio Grande Valley may step over millions of years of history that included volcanic eruptions, 27-million-year-old petrified logs, 42-million-year-old giant oyster shells, and projectile points used by humans for over 12,000 years. Ancient Landscapes of South Texas: Hiding in Plain Sight illuminates the unique landscape and helps curious minds to understand the natural processes that formed South Texas. The Community Historical Archaeology Project with Schools (CHAPS) celebrates the story of the broader South Texas region from prehistory to present.
EVENTS
Historical Happy Hour: Celebrating Preservation Month
When: Friday, May 9, 2025
Time: 5 - 7pm
Where: Historic Alonso Building, 510 E. Saint Charles St., Brownsville, TX 78520
Cost: Free for BHA members, $15 when you RSVP, $20 at the door. Sorry, no refunds.
RSVP by calling: (956) 548-1313
Come and mingle with fellow preservationists at the beautiful Historic Alonso building in honor of historic preservation month. Preservation Month began as National Preservation Week in 1973. In 2005, the National Trust extended the celebration to the entire month of May and declared it Preservation Month to provide an even greater opportunity to celebrate the diverse and unique heritage of our country’s cities and states. This event is open to the public and for adults 21 years old and older only.
Nailed it! A Journey through Preservation: Saint Charles Street District
Where: Historic Alonso Building, 510 E. Saint Charles Street
When: Saturday, May 17, 2025
Time: Tour starts at 10am, Luncheon at 12N (Meet at the Historic Alonso building for check in 15 minutes before tour start time)
In honor of Preservation Month the BHA is featuring an exclusive architectural walking tour with Brownsville’s Historic Preservation Officer, Juan Velez. The tour offers a behind the scenes look at four historic structures on Saint Charles Street followed by a luncheon at the Historic Alonso building and presentation.
Cost: Attendees may choose to pay and register for the walking tour, luncheon, and presentation OR the luncheon and presentation only.
• $65 for Walking Tour, Luncheon, & Presentation
• $45 for Luncheon and Presentation only
$5 dollars off per reservation for current BHA members.
Please RSVP by calling (956) 548-1313 or send an email to mcasas@brownsvillehistory.org
International Museum Day
When: Saturday, May 17, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Where: Heritage Museum/Stillman House Museum, Costumes of the Americas Museum, and Historic Brownsville Museum
Cost: FREE Admission Day!
For more information, please call: 956-548-1313
The International Council of Museums (ICOM) established International Museum Day in 1977 to increase public awareness of the role of museums in the development of society, and it has been steadily gaining momentum ever since. We hope that you bring your friends and family to visit our museums free of charge all DAY!
Memorial Day at the Old City Cemetery
Where: Old City Cemetery, Corner of 5th Street & E. Madison Street
For more information or if you would like to volunteer on Saturday morning, May 24th, to place flags, please call Dave Parsons at (956) 541-5560.
Join us as we honor the veterans buried at the Old City Cemetery. Over 450 identified veterans representing wars from theIndianWars, World War I & II, and the Persian Gulf War are buried in the Old City Cemetery. Those buried represent both Union and Confederate Soldiers and several from the Mexican Revolution of the early 1900s. A U.S. flag will be placed on each identified veterans' grave. Volunteers to place flags are welcome.
BROWNSVILLE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION
1325 E. Washington Street
Brownsville, Texas 78520
1 (956) 541-5560
BROWNSVILLE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION
1325 E. Washington Street, Brownsville, Texas 78520
1 (956) 541-5560
