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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.

Mission Statement

The Centennial Museum is 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. Furthermore, the museum promotes the scholarly research of UTEP students, faculty, and alumni, and supports the general mission of The University of Texas at El Paso.

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


UTEP Professor's Book Promotes Guadalupe Mountains

As long as he can remember, Jeffrey Shepherd has loved the outdoors. The native of Jacksonville, Florida, treasured his opportunities to camp, fish and hike or bike on public lands. He especially was fond of national parks, which were among his favorite places to relax.

UTEP Professor Awarded 2019 Distinguished Scientist Award from the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science

Renato Aguilera, Ph.D., professor of biological sciences at The University of Texas at El Paso, has been named the recipient of the 2019 Distinguished Scientist Award from the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS).

UTEP Civil Engineering Recognized by NASA for Reproducing Martian Soil

The University of Texas at El Paso's Department of Civil Engineering received an award from NASA's Johnson's Space Center (JSC) to reproduce Martian soil for mechanical interactions.

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