El Paso Museum of Archaeology

History

The museum opened in 1977. The site of the museum was chosen because of the number of archaeological sites in the area. Wilderness Park, where the museum is located, was established with help from the El Paso Heritage Foundation. The El Paso Archaeological Society contracted with the City of El Paso to maintain the museum.

Exhibits and facilities

The museum has a collection of permanent archaeological artifacts reflecting 14,000 years of prehistory in the El Paso area, the greater Southwest, and northern Mexico. The museum's artifacts have been appraised at a price of around $2 million. Artifacts on display include 800-year-old agave fiber cloth, various trade items, pottery, and jewelry. Other items include pre-Columbian art and objects from Mexico. A series of dioramas provide an insight into ancient history of the region. The dioramas depict the cultures of the Casas Grandes and Jornada Mogollon.

The El Paso Museum of Archaeology has won grants to support various programs. In 2014, Humanities Texas awarded $1,000 for the support of speakers and exhibits.

Festivals and activities

In the spring, the museum hosts the Annual Franklin Mountain Poppies Fest which includes flowers, activities, food, and wildlife encounters.

The museum offers conferences; a signature event is the biennial Jornada Mogollon Conference which takes place on odd-numbered years.

The museum's mission statement is, "The El Paso Museum of Archaeology is dedicated to the narration, interpretation and preservation of archaeological and anthropological artifacts through research, exhibits, education, and special programs, with a focus on the prehistory and culture of the El Paso area and the Southwest". Group tours are free and available when booked in advance.

Nature

Family activities include nature trails for exploring the flora, fauna and geology of the region. The museum has about 15 acres of natural area surrounding the building. There are over 250 varieties of native Chihuahuan Desert plants to view along a mile-long nature trail and outside the building. In addition, there are viewing areas for the Franklin Mountains, Mount Sierra Blanca and outdoor exhibits based on replicas of Apache life.

|File:Mexican poppies at the El Paso Museum of Archaeology.jpg |Mexican Poppies blooming outside the El Paso Museum of Archaeology. |File:Archaeology Museum Hedgehog Cactus.jpg |Fendler's Hedgehog Cactus. Echinocereus fendleri outside the museum. |File:Claret cup cactus at the El Paso Museum of Archaeology1.jpg |Claret cup cactus in spring bloom. |File:Fouquieria splendens flower.jpg |Ocotillo flowering in front of other desert flowers. |File:Claret cup cactus at the El Paso Museum of Archaeology5.jpg |Claret cup cactus and desert flowers in bloom. |File:Prickly Poppy.jpg |Prickly Poppy (Argemone pleiacantha) in spring bloom. |File:Ocotillo Leaves in front of the El Paso Museum of Archaeology.jpg |Ocotillo Leaves in front of the El Paso Museum of Archaeology. |File:Cholla cactus at the El Paso Museum of Archaeology.jpg |Cholla cactus at the El Paso Museum of Archaeology.

References

References

1. Burge, David. (November 21, 2011). "Curator of Archaeology Museum Wants Focus to be on El Paso". El Paso Times.
2. Burge, David. (February 6, 2012). "A Future for the Past: The El Paso Museum of Archaeology on Right Path, Says Director". El Paso Times.
3. "El Paso Museum of Archaeology". Texas Historical Commission..
4. Smyrl, Vivian Elizabeth. (June 15, 2010). "Wilderness Park Museum". Texas State Historical Association.
5. Hedrick, Carrol. (June 12, 2010). "El Paso Archaeological Society". Texas State Historical Association.
6. (2015). "El Paso Museum of Archeology at Wilderness Park".
7. "El Paso Museum of Archaeology". Texas Historical Commission.
8. (January 14, 2014). "Humanities Texas grant awarded to El Paso Museum of Archaeology". newspapertree.
9. Figueroa, Lorena. (March 29, 2014). "El Paso's Poppy Fest Starts Today". El Paso Times.
10. "TT EP Mus of Arch". TravelTex.
11. "About Us". City of El Paso.
12. Buckner, Sharry. (2006). "Fun with the Family Texas". GPP Travel.
13. Eaves, Megan. (2010). "Insider's Guide to El Paso". Globe Pequot Press.