August 2010
At the Museum
See also: Southwest Art Scene
History Lessons
Menu of this month's listings, stories and columns
Centennial Museum — University at Wiggins, UTEP. Changing exhibits are on the second floor, Lea and Discovery Galleries. Hours: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Admission is free. Information: 747-6668, 747-6669 or museum.utep.edu.
Showing through Sept. 11:
• “Rio Grande, Bravo!” works by West Texas photographer John Smith. Smith presents the river in 22 panoramic photographs. He spent three years traveling and photographing the 1,900-mile river that rises in southwestern Colorado and runs to the Gulf of Mexico.
• “Making Sense of Remote Sensing.” UTEP students from the Department of Electrical Engineering have created an exhibit to present the history of remote sensing: how it is used to track global warming by measuring glaciers; how spy planes and satellites were used to spy on the Soviet Union during the Cold War; and many other interesting topics. Its applications range from monitoring environmental disasters to tracking weather to finding a friend’s house on a Google map.
Continuing exhibits are on the third floor of the Centennial and include archaeology, ethnology and paleontology of the Southwest. Around the museum building, the Chihuahuan Desert Gardens exhibit the beauty and utility of Southwestern water-conserving native plants in landscaping. The gardens are open daily from daylight to dusk.
The museum’s new features include a touch-screen interactive kiosk, new geological displays and a ceiling mural.
El Paso Holocaust Museum and Study Center — 715 N. Oregon. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Closed Monday. Admission is free. Information: 351-0048 or elpasoholocaustmuseum.org.
The museum’s free monthly “Cinema Sundays” series is 2 p.m. the last Sunday of the month.
The El Paso museum depicts Jewish life in Europe before World War II, Hitler’s rise to power, the expulsion of Jews into ghettoes, life in concentration camps, prisoner resistance to the Nazis and liberation of the camps. Also featured is a local survivors exhibit. Docents available for guided tours.
El Paso Museum of Archaeology — 4301 Transmountain in Northeast El Paso (west of U.S. 54). Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free. Information: 755-4332.
Showing through Sept. 12: “Unknown México/México Desconocido.” The exhibit introduces ancient and contemporary cultures of west México. The ancient West Mexico Shaft Tomb Cultures in the modern Mexican states of Nayarit, Jalisco, and Colima, flourished at the same time as the Aztec and Maya civilizations. Also included: the oldest known culture in West Mexico, Chupicuaro, the Tarascan Empire that flourished from A.D. 1100 to 1530; and the 21st century Cora and Huichol Indians living in the Sierra Madre del Norte.
Free Zip Tours with curator Richard Durshlag are 2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 11 and Saturday, Sept. 4.
The video “Huichol Sacred Pilgrimage to Wirikuta” will be shown 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 15. Durschlag will introduce the film and respond to questions from the audience afterward. The filmmaker, Larain Boyll Matheson, spent two years to photograph and produce this story of the Huichol making one of their annual pilgrimages to the place where their sacred medicine cactus grows.
World music group Ceiba will host a free bilingual family workshop on ancient and modern Latin American music 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 31, for families with children age 6 and older. Adults and children will listen and respond to music and create together, and Ceiba musicians perform on a variety of instruments from indigenous cultures of Latin America such as the charango, rain stick, various flutes of wood, ceramic, and bamboo, percussion instruments.
The museum tells the 12,000-year-old story of prehistoric human habitation in the region, with five dioramas and exhibits of tools, pottery, rock art and other materials.
A nature trail takes visitors through 17 acres of Chihuahuan Desert with 200 varieties of desert plants. The trail also offers a local pithouse, pueblo ruin and an Apache brush hut. The park also has picnic tables and a gazebo.
Archaeology Summer Day Camp continues Aug. 10-13 for ages 9-12 Camps run 9 a.m. to noon Tuesdays through Fridays. Registration information: 755-4332 or guidamr@elpasotexas.gov.
El Paso Museum of Art — One Arts Festival Plaza, downtown El Paso. For exhibit information, see “Southwest Art Scene.”
El Paso Museum of History — 510 N. Santa Fe. Hours (including gift shop) are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday (open until 9 p.m. Thursdays), and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Closed Mondays. Special admission fee for Da Vinci and Fashion exhibits; admission to other exhibits is free. Information: 351-3588 or elpasotexas.gov/history.
Showing through Sept. 15:
• “Los de Abajo,” an exhibit highlighting the first novel set during the Mexican Revolution.
• “Vernacular Houses in Ciudad Juárez: Itinerant Images,” a photographic record of the traditional architecture of Juárez.
Francisco Ochoa Rodriguez presents the free presentation “Ciudad Juarez: From an adobe village to a brick city” at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 26. Rodriguez will show how the influence of America came via the railroads to transform the town to look like a transplant from the Midwest.
Showing through Sept. 16:”50 Years for Fashion.”
Ron Leiman presents “The Southern Pacific, Union Pacific, and Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railroads: Their past and the future” at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 12, as part of the museum’s free “Spotlight on History” lecture series. Leiman will give a virtual train ride from Yuma, Ariz. to Sierra Blanca, Texas on the Southern Pacific, and give a look at the future of the great railroads.
Also currently showing is “¡Viva la Revolución! The Money of the Mexican Revolution,” in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Mexican Revolution.
Showing through May, 2011: “Awakening Our Giants: Farah Manufacturing Company.” Mansour Farah started the company as the Farah Shirt Manufacturing Company in 1920, and it soon became a giant in the U.S. men’s apparel industry. At its peak employment level there were 10,000 people working in El Paso, other Southwest cities and several overseas locations. For many years in the 1970s and 1980s Farah was El Paso’s largest civilian employer.
Free zip tours are 12:15 to 1 p.m. on selected Wednesdays.
Permanent exhibits include “El Paso: A to Z,” a nontraditional look at day-to-day life in El Paso, and ‘The Changing Pass,” a chronological history of the region from the Ice Age through the Camino Real, arrival of stagecoaches and more.
The museum will host a series of events commemorating the centennial of the Mexican Revolution throughout the year. Events are free.
A 66th anniversary celebration of the end of World War II is 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 21, with the Friends of Fort Selden, 79th US Infantry Division and Pittsenbargar’s Own SS Living History/Reenactment Groups. After the dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki Aug. 6 and 9, the Japanese surrendered, bringing an end to the world conflict. The celebration includes skirmish reenactment with American troops, WWII display, and vintage vehicles.
Fort Bliss Museums and Study Center — Building 1735, Marshall Road (old PX building), Fort Bliss. Exhibits range from Civil War artifacts to the Patriot Missile System. Admission is free. Open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. Information: 568-3390 or 568-5412.
With the relocation of the 1st Armored Cavalry Division to Fort Bliss, the museum is adding 35 tanks and 10 other vehicles to its outdoor displays. The museum is also expanding its exhibit on the post’s history with Mexico, including the 1916 “Punitive Expedition” led by Gen. John “Blackjack” Pershing.
Also on Fort Bliss is Old Fort Bliss, Building 5051, corner of Pershing and Pleasanton, a reproduction of the Magoffinsville Post of 1854 to 1868. Information: 568-4518.
Insights El Paso Science Museum — 505 N. Santa Fe. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission: $6 ($5 seniors, students and military; $4 ages 4-11). Information: 534-0000 or insightselpaso.org.
Now showing are “Toolville,” a hands-on guide through six simple tools for ages 5-12; and “Games” an interactive exploration of games from around the world and across the century for all ages.
Also showing is “To the Ends of the Earth, UTEP at The Poles.” UTEP biology faculty and students, joined by high school teachers from El Paso and students from across the U.S., headed for Antarctica and the Arctic to carry out research projects. This exhibit highlights their work, what they learned about the impact of climate change, and explains the differences and similarities between the north and south poles. Guests can measure themselves against different types of penguins, create an origami penguin and learn how actions in El Paso effect climate change at the poles.
LYNX Exhibits — The exhibit space is at 300 W. San Antonio (just south of Convention Center). Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. Closed Monday. Last admission is one hour before closing time.
Admission is $10 for adults; $8 seniors, military and students with ID; and $6 ages 4 to 11. Children 3 and younger are free. Information: 533-4330 or lynxexhibits.com.
Showing through Sept. 5: “Color Play, Exploring the Art and Science of Color. The exhibit features an array of color-themed activities and games for the entire family. Turn a crank to create a neon sculpture, star in a color dance, explore a giant three-room playhouse, and investigate the many uses of blue, among other activities. Also featured is “Lazer Frenzy,” a challenging, arcade-style laser maze.
The 2010 Lynx Summer Camps run through Aug. 13.
Magoffin Home State Historic Site — 1120 Magoffin. The adobe home, built around 1875 by Joseph Magoffin, tells the story of a multicultural family that influenced the development of the Southwest borderlands. It includes authentic art and furnishings reflecting the daily lives of the Magoffin family.
Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Tours on the hour; last tour at 4 p.m. Spanish language tours offered Wednesday through Sunday. Cost: $4 ($3 ages 6-18). Group tours available with advance registration. Information: 533-5147 or visitmagoffinhome.com.
Active duty military personnel and their families with ID admitted free through Sept. 6 as part of the Blue Star Museum Program.
A Walking Tour of the Magoffin Historic District led by Fred Morales is 9 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 21. Bring water and a hat. Cost: $8. Call for reservations.
A “Mi Casa es Su Casa” informative program for those wishing to volunteer at the Magoffin Home is 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 21. Volunteers needed include tour guides, researchers, landscaping helpers and those interested in living history. RSVP requested; program includes food.
“Spirit Tours” are offered by the Casa Magoffin Compañeros at 10 a.m. the second Saturday of every month. Cost: $5. Reservations required.
Museo Mayachen — Historical exhibits are displayed inside of Mercado Mayapan, 2101 Myrtle. Currently on exhibit: “Chicano Power! Legacy of the Chicano Movement.” Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Information: 532-6205 or mercadomayapan.org.
National Border Patrol Museum and Memorial Library — 4315 Transmountain Drive. The museum, in Northeast El Paso just west of U.S. 54, features the history of the Border Patrol with uniforms, equipment, photographs, guns, motor vehicles, airplanes, boats and other items, including hands-on exhibits for kids. The Border Patrol was founded in 1924 in El Paso. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Closed Sunday, Monday and major holidays. Admission is free. Information: 759-6060 or borderpatrolmuseum.com.
Railroad and Transportation Museum of El Paso — More than 100 years of El Paso railroad history are on display at Union Depot Transit Terminal, 400 W. San Antonio, at Durango. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free. Information: 422-3420 or elpasorails.com.
Home of El Paso’s “Old No. 1” engine, the museum covers the city’s transportation history. The “Classic American” 1857 Locomotive is featured with the history of eight railroads and the Transcontinental Railroad System. Exhibits cover the lives of rail workers, their jobs, and the use of railroads in wartime. Urban transportation exhibits cover the Mule Cars of 1882, streetcars of 1902 and streamlined 1937 PCC Cars.
U.S. Army Museum of the NCO — Building 11331, Staff Sergeant Simms St., Biggs Army Airfield. Equipment and uniforms used by sergeants and other NCO’s through the years are displayed. Admission: free. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Information: 568-8646.
War Eagles Air Museum — 8012 Airport Road, Doña Ana County Airport, Santa Teresa. Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Admission: $5; $4 senior citizens and military; free for children under 12. Information: (575) 589-2000 or war-eagles-air-museum.com.
The warbirds of World War II and Korea, and other historic military aircraft, are displayed in a 54,000-square-foot building and surrounding area. The collection of more than 30 aircraft and 40 automobiles includes the P-51 Mustang, P-38 Lightning, A-26 Invader and the German Fieseler-Storch. Among later aircraft are the F-86 Sabre and MiG-15s.
To get there: Take the Artcraft exit off Interstate 10, head west past the Rio Grande to Santa Teresa and follow signs to the airport and museum.
Las Cruces area
Casasola Museum/Museo Casasola — 2251 Calle de Santiago in Old Mesilla, N.M. Open sunrise to sunset daily. Admission is free, but donations accepted. Information: casasolamuseum@gmail.com or casasolamuseum.com.
The museum is devoted to Mexico-U.S. history, with more than 120,000 archived images that portray the borderland relationship between the two countries. The images are from some of the museum’s various private collections captured by more than 600 professional photographic artists over four generations.
Las Cruces Museum of Natural History — Mesilla Valley Mall, Las Cruces (take Lohman exit east from I-25). Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and Saturdays; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays; 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays. All events are free unless otherwise noted. Information: (575) 522-3120 or las-cruces.org.
Showing through Sept. 12: “Hatching the Past,” a look at dinosaur nests, eggs and their young.
Scaly Slimy Saturdays live animal program for age 6-10 are 10 a.m. Saturdays, Aug. 7-28.
The monthly hands-on Saturday Science Class for elementary children is 11 a.m. Aug. 7 (Aviation).
A special midnight Sky Safari program begins at midnight Saturday, Aug. 14 at La Llorona Park on West Picacho to view the Perseids Meteor Shower.
The monthly Descubra el Desierto lecture series is 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 17. New Mexico State University Biology Department Doctoral student Niki Harings will discuss “Desert Toads of the Chihuahuan Desert.”
Conservation Day at the museum is noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 21, with hands-on activities and informational displays.
The monthly hands-on Animal Encounters are 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28.
Science Cafe round table discussion hosted by Sigma XI is 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 26.
On permanent exhibit is the Nature Center, highlighting the wildlife of Southern New Mexico with a broad collection of amphibians, reptiles, fish and arachnids native to the Chihuahuan Desert.
Activities and games based on the PBS program “Fetch!” are 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. every Saturday, led by staff and junior docents.
Las Cruces Railroad Museum — The museum is in the Santa Fe train depot, 351 N. Mesilla, (at Las Cruces avenue west of the Downtown Mall). Hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Admission is free; donations encouraged. Information: (575) 647-4480 or museums.las-cruces.org//rrmuseum.shtm.
Family Game Day is 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. the second Saturday of each month through November. Families can try their hand at a variety of early 20th century games.
Story Time for children of all ages is 11 a.m. to noon the third Saturday of the month. Listen to a “Thomas the Tank Engine” book and complete a related activity. RSVP encouraged.
The museum’s brown bag lecture series is at noon the second Tuesday of each month. Light refreshments served; RSVP encouraged. The Aug. 10 lecture is “Whatever Happened to ‘See Spot Run’ and ‘Dick and Jane?’: a Pictorial and Narrative Observation of Las Cruces Public School’s History” presented by Alma d’Arte Charter High School founder Irene Oliver-Lewis.
The Rail Readers Book Club meets at 11 to noon the second Wednesday of the month (Aug. 11) to discuss a train-related novel. August’s book is “The Mystery of the Blue Train” by Agatha Christie. Call the museum for registration.
NM Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum — 4100 Dripping Springs, Las Cruces. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission: $5 for adults, $3 seniors 60 and older, $2 for children 5-17; free for age 4 and under. Information: (575) 522-4100 or nmfarmandranchmuseum.org.
Film historian Jeff Berg presents “Made In New Mexico Westerns” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 12, as part of the monthly lecture series. Berg will include live narration to the compilation of clips from 22 different Westerns filmed, at least partly, in New Mexico since 1898. Suggested donation: $2.
Showing Aug. 13-Dec. 6 in the Arts Corridor: “Rural Skylines and Byways of New Mexico,” works in various media by the City of Artists Promotional Association. Opening reception is 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 19. Artists will be present.
Now showing is “George Gray: Son of a Cowboy,” featuring 27 works of art, including paintings in oil, acrylic, and watercolor, and pen-and-ink. Gray’s paintings reflect his life growing up on a ranch near Estancia, N.M., and feature western scenes, landscapes and Native Americans.
Showing through Sept. 10: “Colcha: Embroidered Connections,” Colcha is an embroidery method traced back to the 1700s in New Mexico.
Showing through Nov. 28: “What in the World?”, a fun and informative journey through an array of unusual objects from the museum’s collections. These peculiar-looking gadgets were used for a variety of tasks and museum visitors are invited to answer the challenge to identify their uses in this interactive exhibit.
Ongoing exhibits include “Generations,” “Farm Life in New Mexico: Then and Now” and “The Inside Story of the Roadside View: Agriculture in the Lower Rio Grande Valley” in the Heritage Gallery, and Peter Hurd’s “The Future Belongs to Those Who Prepare For It” in the Central Corridor.
A Harvest Cooking Class is 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 3, with chef Carol Koenig. This month’s class features recipes with corn, watermelon and onions. Cost: $35.
The museum also features domestic animals on site, including six different breeds of beef cattle, burros and occasionally horses. Milking demonstrations are at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily (3 p.m. only Sundays). Blacksmith shop open Tuesday through Sunday. Sewing and weaving demonstrations are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays.
Cart rides to see livestock also offered (call for schedule).
Walking tours of the South 20 are 10:15 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
Gallery talks are 2 p.m. Wednesdays in the Main Gallery.
NMSU Art Gallery — D.W. Williams Art Center, 1390 E. University Ave, (Williams Hall) on the NMSU campus, Las Cruces (east of Solano). Summer hours are noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Information: (575) 646-2545, (575) 646-5423 or nmsu.edu/artgal.
Showing through Aug. 6: “Connecting with the Divine: Devotional Art of New Mexico,” featuring Mexican and New Mexican religious art from the Mary and J. Paul Taylor Family collection.
Showing Aug. 20-Oct. 1: “Unmute: Text and Image in American Art 1970-2000.” With images from the gallery’s permanent collection this exhibit addresses the ways in which images and texts operated in post-Minimalist late 20th century art.
NMSU Museum — Kent Hall, University at Solano, Las Cruces. Hours are noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Admission is free. Information: (575) 646-5161 or nmsu.edu/museum/.
The museum’s permanent exhibit is “Pottery from the Americas,” featuring nearly 600 pottery vessels representing Southwestern and Mesoamerican ceramics.
Family workshops are 10 to 11:30 a.m. and 2 to 3:30 p.m. selected Saturdays. Call for schedule.
NMSU Zuhl Museum — NMSU Alumni Visitors’ Center, 775 College Dr. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Information: (575) 646-1884.
The center features a collection of more than 1,000 pieces of petrified wood, fossils and minerals donated to NMSU by retired Las Cruces residents Herb and Joan Zuhl from New York City. Pieces include ammonites, turtles, a dragonfly, a bat, and minerals such as amethyst, rhodochrosite, garnet, and malachite. The museum is also home to an Ichthyosaur, a highly specialized marine reptile from the time of the dinosaurs, five dinosaur leg bones, a portion of a backbone from a giant herbivore dinosaur, and the eggs of a duck-billed dinosaur.
The museum offer activities for children 2 to 5 p.m. the second Sunday of each month.
White Sands Missile Range Museum and Missile Park — Exhibits feature the history of the Trinity Site (site of the first atomic bomb test), the V-2 rocket, ranchers on the range and missile optics. An outdoor Missile Park displays rockets and missiles tested on the range. Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Closed on federal holidays. Free admission.
To get there: take U.S. 54, and after the freeway ends, keep going north on Martin Luther King, which leads directly to the range. Or enter from the north off U.S. 70 east of Las Cruces. Visitors must provide a current license, car registration and proof of insurance. Information: (575) 678-8824 (local call) or wsmr-history.org.
Also
Deming Luna Mimbres Museum — 301 S. Silver, Deming, N.M. An actual chuckwagon, gems and minerals, turn-of-the-century fashions, military mementos and Mimbres Indian art are among the exhibits at the museum. Other attractions in the former National Guard Armory include a doll room, transportation annex and quilt room. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 1:30 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free. Information: (575) 546-2382, 1-800-848-4955 or deminglunamimbresmuseum.com.
Geronimo Springs Museum — 211 Main in Truth or Consequences, N.M. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday; noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Features prehistoric, historic and military exhibits about the area. Museum admission: $5 ($2.50 students 6 to 18; free for ages 5 and younger). Family rates: $15. Information: (575) 894-6600 or geronimospringsmuseum.com.
The monthly speaker series is 7 p.m. the third Thursday of the month. The Aug. 19 topic is “Historic Bath Houses of Sierra County.” Admission is free, but donations welcome.
Hubbard Museum of the American West — 841 U.S. Hwy 70 West, next to Ruidoso Downs (N.M.) Race Track. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day. Admission: $6 ($5 for seniors, military; $2 children 6-16; free for children 5 and younger). Information: (575) 378-4142 or hubbardmuseum.org.
Showing through Aug. 29: “The Clovis Sound: New Mexico’s Connection to the Birth of Rock & Roll.” The story of the renowned recording studio in Clovis, N.M. and those who made history there, including Buddy Holly and Roy Orbison.
Showing through Oct. 3: “Ancient New Mexico,” an in-depth exhibit of the peoples who inhabited the southwest from pre-historical periods up to Spanish exploration.
Tommy Allsup presents “Stories & Music” at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 30-31, in the Johnny and Marty Cope Learning Center. The Grammy-winner will sing songs and tell stories about his career, the many people he made music with, and the adventures he had along the way. Cost: $20 ($15 museum members); seating is limited.
The award-winning one-man play “Wyatt Earp as Doc Holiday” is 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28. The contemporary Wyatt Earp is a descendent of the historic Wyatt Earp.
Museum of the Big Bend — Located on the campus of Sul Ross State University (Entrance 3), Hwy 90 in Alpine, Texas. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Guided tours available. Admission is free, donations accepted. Information: (432) 837-8143 or museum@sulross.edu.
Permanent exhibits include fossil exhibits “Conquistador to Cowboy” exhibit with artifacts that tell the story of the settlement of the Big Bend, a Native American exhibit focusing on the Jumanos and Apache tribes, and a children’s Discovery Center play area with a replica of Tall Rock Shelter.
New Mexico Museum of Space History — The museum features the International Space Hall of Fame and the Tombaugh IMAX Dome Theater and Planetarium, and is located on the northeast side of Alamogordo off Indian Wells Blvd.
Saturday Space Science classes are offered 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays, for first through third graders and 1 to 4 p.m. for grades four through six. Registration: $18 per session ($15 for museum members) or $60 per month ($50 for members).
Currently showing: “Space Frontiers,” a look at the heritage and future of space exploration in New Mexico. From ancient Native American observatories at Chaco Canyon to modern day facilities such as the Very Large Array astronomical radio observatory, New Mexico’s clear skies and high altitudes have provided an ideal location to study the heavens. This exhibition showcases the state’s history and contributions to how humans see and travel beyond planet earth.
The Hall of Fame attractions include a simulated Mars room, the rocket sled used in early space program research, and various other space exhibits. Space center hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission: $6 ($5 for seniors and military, $4 ages 4-12, children 3 and younger free). Information: (877) 333-6589, (575) 437-2840 or nmspacemuseum.org.
Showing at the IMAX Dome Theater are the films “Hubble” and “9 Planets and Counting.” Showtimes are on the hour, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Tickets: $6 ($5.50 for seniors and military; $4.50 ages 4-12): $3,50 for planetarium show. Ages 3 and under free for all shows.
Beginning July 1, new combo tickets available (included museum entrance and one IMAX ticket): $10 ($9 seniors and military, $7 children).
Sacramento Mountains Historical Museum — U.S. 82 across from the Chamber of Commerce in Cloudcroft, N.M. Operated by the Sacramento Mountains Historical Society, the museum features historical buildings from the turn of the century, antique farming and ranching tools, other business and home antiques, historical exhibits and other artifacts. Winter hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Beginning May 29, summer hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, weather permitting. Closed Wednesday and Thursday. Admission: $5 ($3 ages 6 to 12). Group rates and tours available with prior notice. Information: (575) 682-2932 or cloudcroftmuseum.com.
Silver City Museum — 312 W. Broadway, Silver City, in the historic H.B. Ailman House. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The museum covers the settlement of southwest New Mexico, the two centuries of mining in the region and early commerce in Silver City. Group tours offered with advance notice. Admission: $3 suggested donation. Information: (575) 538-5921, 1-877-777-7947 (out of town), or silvercitymuseum.org.
Showing through Sept. 26: “Free Flow: The Gila River in New Mexico,” an exhibit of photographs by Jan Haley.
Showing through Oct. 30: “From the Mines,” recycled steel sculptures by Barbara L. Harrison, in connection with the June celebration of Silver City’s mining history. The 15 sculptures are constructed from objects found at area mines. Harrison is known for her wall and ceiling suspended sculptures in solid brass. Two large wall sculptures were commissioned by Neiman Marcus for their permanent collection.
Toy Train Depot — Alameda Park, 1991 N. White Sands Blvd., Alamogordo. An actual train depot built in 1898, the building now houses a gift shop and model shop, with more than 1,200 feet of model railroad track and hundreds of model and toy trains on display. Hours are noon to 4:40 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Admission: $4. Information: (575) 437-2855 or toytraindepot.homestead.com.
The 1/5 scale train track offers rides around Alameda Park 12:30 to 4 p.m. Cost: $4.
Tularosa Basin Historical Society Museum — The museum, featuring collections, photos and archives relating to the history of Otero County and the Tularosa Basin, is next door to the Alamogordo Chamber of Commerce, 1301 White Sands Blvd. (U.S. 54/70). Open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Admission is free. Information: (575) 436-4438.
WNMU Museum — 1000 West College Ave., Silver City, N.M. (575) 538-6386. The museum features pottery, rugs and other artifacts of Southwestern Cultures; historic photographs of the Silver City area, and traveling exhibits. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; 1 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Overland Trail Museum — Exhibits at the Fort Davis, Texas, museum include a replica of a barbershop that was once on the site, historic surveying equipment, early medical paraphernalia, a restored pioneer kitchen and early ranching tools. Hours are 1 to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. Information: (915) 426-3161.
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