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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


Mining Minds’ Special Lighting to Honor Women’s Golf and Cross Country Teams

The “Mining Minds” pickaxe sculpture at UTEP’s University Avenue roundabout will be illuminated in orange and blue Thursday evening, Nov. 1, 2018, to celebrate The University of Texas at El Paso women’s golf team, which recently won its third consecutive tournament title and the UTEP women’s cross country team for claiming its first conference championship.

UTEP, NSF Mark Establishment of Center for Materials Research with Kickoff Event

The University of Texas at El Paso's role in shaping the future of energy and biomaterials research was highlighted this week as the campus marked the establishment of its new Partnerships of Research and Education Materials (PREM) Center for Advanced Materials Research.

UTEP Receives $13M Grant for GEAR UP Program

The University of Texas at El Paso's GEAR UP program has received a $13 million, six-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education that will help more than 2,700 students get more out of high school and navigate the path to college.

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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