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Centennial Museum and Chihuahuan Desert Gardens


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 Museum

The oldest museum in El Paso is part of the University of Texas at El Paso, and also serves the binational community of the Chihuahuan Desert region.

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The Gardens

A botanical garden dedicated to the flora of the Chihuahuan Desert and adjacent regions in the United States and Mexico.

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The Lhakhang

The hand-carved and hand-painted lhakhang is a gift from the people of Bhutan to the people of the United States and entrusted to the University’s care.

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Hours of Operation

Centennial Museum

  • 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
  • Closed Sunday, on holidays and during UTEP Football home games.

Chihuahuan Desert Gardens

  • Open daily from dawn to dusk.

The Lhakhang

  • Open 11 a.m to 1 p.m. every Wednesday and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. the first Sunday of every month.

Admission

  • Free and open to the public
  • Donations help fund various educational programs and exhibits throughout the year.

Parking

  • The Museum's free parking lot is located just off University Avenue.
  • Additional parking is available at the Sun Bowl Parking Garage.

FEATURED NEWS


Raise the Pick: Aaron Terrazas

Raise the Pick: This is part of a series about UTEP student-athletes who share their unique stories and how athletic scholarships have made a difference in their lives. Each of these students reflects on the value of their UTEP experiences and the opportunities they create for the future. Visit minerathleticclub.com to learn more about the Raise the Pick campaign.

Diana Natalicio, President of The University of Texas at El Paso, Announces Plans to Retire Once a Successor is Appointed and Assumes the Office

Subject: Message from President Natalicio
To: UTEP Students, Faculty, Staff, Alumni, Friends and Supporters
From: Diana Natalicio, President

UTEP's LSPI Earns Texas Bar Foundation Grant for Law Internships

The Texas Bar Foundation awarded The University of Texas at El Paso’s Patricia and Paul Yetter Law School Preparation Institute (LSPI) a $20,000 grant to support summer internships for seven UTEP graduates who participated in the LSPI and are enrolled in law school.

STAY CONNECTED

Connect With Us

The University of Texas at El Paso
Centennial Museum and Chihuahuan
Desert Gardens
University Avenue & Wiggins Rd
El Paso, Texas 79968

E: museum@utep.edu
P: (915) 747-5565
F: (915) 747-5411