Museum Guide

At the Kit Carson House & Museum in Taos, New Mexico we explore the ancestral home of a myriad Native peoples, as New Mexico is part of the last geographical region formally incorporated into the continental United States. Ther Museum preserves the National Historic Landmark, the Kit Carson Home while developing a museum with exhibits dedicated to the critical exploration of the complicated history and consequences of the cultural encounters of the American Southwest and particularly the history and ongoing story of Native Communities for whom this region was and continues to be home. At the museum we explain how Carson fought in the Mexican-American War with General Kearny's forces at the Battle of San Pasqual. He led the First New Mexico Volunteers against Confederate forces at the Civil War Battle of Valverde, New Mexico. Carson was brevetted Brigadier General by orders from President Abraham Lincoln. He was the only General in U.S. Army history who could neither read nor write.  The Carson House & Museum will increase the current museum’s historical artifact collection to better match the museum’s updated mission. Our vision statement, guiding principles, collections management policy and ability to adequately care for, house and display artifacts will dictate the types of artifacts the museum will collect. The goal is to acquire historical artifacts for the initial displays with a collections plan in place to continue to grow the collection accordingly! The Museum is celebrating its 200-year birthday in 2025. The site has recently been awarded a Save America's Treasures Grant from the National Park Service in the amount of $750K. The grant requires a 1:1 dollar match -please go to website and click on Donate to support the effort! Currently the buildings and grounds restoration and construction will focus on the preservation and rehabilitation of the Carson Home and surrounding structures. The goal will be to restore the National Historic Landmark and construct a museum to accommodate historical exhibits, interpretative graphics, interactive multimedia features, and historical artifacts. https://www.kitcarsonhouse.org/restoration-efforts We look forward to welcoming you to the Kit Carson House Museum in Taos, NM and exploring the deep history and exploration of our Native People and the impact Kit Carson had! https://www.kitcarsonhouse.org/

Constructed in 1936, The El Paso Centennial Museum was built to celebrate the anniversary of Texas independence, making it the oldest museum in El Paso. Permanent exhibits in the museum focus on the natural and cultural history of the Chihuahuan Desert region, the largest desert in North America, and the ties of friendship that exist between the University and Bhutan can be seen in its surroundings. The Centennial Museum and Gardens sponsor such events as lectures/talks, collaborative exhibits with other museums on campus or in El Paso and FloraFEST The Centennial Museum prides itself as an academic support and outreach unit of The University of Texas at El Paso focusing primarily on the natural and cultural history of the Chihuahuan Desert. It promotes and shares knowledge and understanding of the natural diversity of the region and its people. The museum meets its responsibilities through the presentation and curation of the permanent collections, including the Chihuahuan Desert Gardens. The Centennial Museum and Chihuahuan Desert Gardens celebrates the stories of life in the Chihuahuan Desert. We aim to engage the border community with participatory programs and exhibitions that inspire dialogue about and respect for the natural world and our cultural heritage. As a university museum, we expand access to knowledge and opportunities that higher education and cultural engagement can offer. The Gardens were established in 1999 and are certified as a Texas Wildscape site. With more than 600 species of plants that are native or adapted to the Chihuahuan Desert, visitors can see the plants in their native setting. The Chihuahuan Desert Gardens are visited by thousands of people each year, including international visitors and school children from the region. We hope you will visit us in El Paso and see and experience our museums and beautiful gardens! The Centennial Museum is open Monday through Saturday, from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., with the exception of holidays and UTEP Football home games. The Chihuahuan Desert Gardens are open daily from dawn to dusk. For additional questions or information please contact us via email at centennialmuseum@utep.edu https://www.utep.edu/centennial-museum/about/about.html

“Why is there a World War II Museum in Eldred. PA?”​This is a common question received by staff at the Eldred WWII Museum. The answer lies in a munitions plant that was operated in the Eldred area during the war. The plant did not start out as an American operation, however. George Roudebush, an American lawyer, with J.W. Whitmore, a Canadian, found the Eldred area to be a suitable location for a munitions plant that would serve British armed forces. To preserve and interpret the history of World War II. To commemorate the contribution of 40 million Americans that supported the 16 million fighting soldiers during the epic struggle to defend freedom and democracy against the forces of greed and aggression. To help shape a stronger future for the United States by helping present and future generations understand the lessons of the 20th century, the Museum was created! In the 1990s, George Roudebush's son, Tim, was working as a businessman in Kansas. He was very much distressed by the youth's lack of knowledge regarding World War II and its influence on the world. Knowing the legacy of the National Munitions Plant and its workers in Eldred, Tim elected to construct a museum in their honor; not in a large city like Buffalo or Pittsburgh, but in Eldred itself. The museum opened in 1996 and has since seen consistent expansions that has grown the museum to over 15,000 square feet. Today, the museum also houses the Robert A. Anderson Library. It serves as a significant resource for research on the subject of World War II. The library was established in 1999 upon the acquisition of the collection of historian Robert A. Anderson. The collection was a life-long passion and included thousands of books and rare artifacts. The museum has continued to add to the collection which now exceeds 8,500 volumes. The holdings of the library include rare or out of print books that the researcher may not be able to find in a local library. In addition to books, researchers also have access to veteran statements and interviews, various wartime periodicals, videos, and documents within the museum’s archives. So, when you are passing through northern, PA stop off in Eldred and visit a little bit of unfound WWII history. Museum is open December – February Tuesday - Friday: By appointment Saturday: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm March – November Tuesday - Saturday: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Sunday: 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm. Admission Adults: No Admission fee, donations appreciated Children 18 and under: Free. 814-225-2220 - https://www.eldredpawwiimuseum.com/#/