Brewster County Travel & Relocation Guide 2023 2023 | Page 19

S�n�� 1937 , the Museum of the Big Bend , on the campus of Sul Ross State University in Alpine , Texas , has been telling the story of this wonderful country to its friends and visitors from around the world . In 2007 , the Museum was renovated and created a new permanent exhibit Big Bend Legacy to continue this tradition .
MUSEUM of the Big Bend
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Mu���� � ��� Bi� B�n�

AN ALPINE STAPLE

S�n�� 1937 , the Museum of the Big Bend , on the campus of Sul Ross State University in Alpine , Texas , has been telling the story of this wonderful country to its friends and visitors from around the world . In 2007 , the Museum was renovated and created a new permanent exhibit Big Bend Legacy to continue this tradition .

Now in 2023 , the Museum of the Big Bend will expand its mission with the dedication and opening of a brand-new building . Thanks to the generosity and vision of the McCoy family , the Museum will double its ability to tell the story of the Big Bend . The Emmett and Miriam McCoy building will feature the Marilyn Ann Caldwell Welcome Center , where visitors will learn about new exhibits and upcoming programming at the Museum .
From the Welcome Center , visitors can venture into the original building to learn the history of the Big Bend or head into the new building where a permanent exhibit space features the works of El Paso artist Tom
Lea . This exhibit showcases Lea ’ s paintings and writings about the history of cattle in the Americas . From the 1500s with the lowering of cattle from Spanish galleons in North America at Vera Cruz to the 1940s meat packing facilities in Chicago , this show chronicles the crossroads of the Old World with the New World .
From there guests can walk into the Temporary Gallery space which will feature new exhibits every four months . The initial exhibit , beginning in January 2023 is in partnership with the John L . Nau , III Collection of Texas Art . Utilizing the vast Nau Collection , the exhibit focuses on Texas artists who traveled out of state and saw what other artists were creating . These works will reveal a pivotal moment in these artists careers . In June the Museum will collaborate with The Witliff Collections , from the university ’ s sister institution Texas State University-San Marcos . The Witliff boasts an acclaimed photography collection and the Museum will be bringing the best in photography for the summer show . Then in September the Museum will host the 37th Annual Trappings of Texas . Trappings is one of the oldest exhibits and sales of its kind in the country , well known for showing custom cowboy gear and contemporary Western art all under the same roof . Three days of all things cowboy awaits the art afi cionado and buckaroo in September at the Museum . No wonder the Museum of the Big Bend was recognized for the second straight year in a row by True West magazine as one of the Top 10 Western Museums in the country !
Whether it is your fi rst time to the area of if you have visited many times before , the Museum of the Big Bend should be at the top of your list !
The Museum is open Tuesday-Saturday , 10 am-4pm . Closed on major holidays . Call 432.837.8730 or go to www . museumofthebigbend . com to learn more !
Museum of the Big Bend Complex