Museum Guide News

The New Mexico Holocaust & Intolerance Museum and Gellert Center for Education uses lessons and personal stories of the Holocaust and other genocides to educate and inspire communities of upstanders. This unique museum experience reinforces the idea that every single one of us can make a positive difference. Located in the heart of downtown Albuquerque, the New Mexico Holocaust & Intolerance Museum provides a unique educational experience for visitors from around the world. The only museum of its type in the state, it opened in January of 2001. The institution was founded by Werner Gellert, a Holocaust survivor, his wife, Frankie, and Juliana K. Lerner, also a Holocaust survivor. Their intent was to show--along with the Holocaust--genocides and other instances of organized hate in the hopes that such atrocities might never happen again. We embody that mission through our exhibits which describe hate groups in America, propaganda, the Armenian genocide, the Chinese exclusion Act, colonization as it affected Native Americans, and the African-American experience. Our collections include a diverse array of unique artifacts, including the Flossenbürg Flag, a replica of the United States flag made by prisoners of the Flossenbürg concentration camp to welcome their liberators.  In keeping with our focus on education and outreach, we revived school visits which had been suspended due to COVID. Recently, nearly 200 middle and high school students were welcomed at the museum. After a guided tour of the exhibits, they had the incredible opportunity to hear the story of a local Holocaust survivor who was a hidden child. By studying the Holocaust, these youngsters learned about historical consequences of prejudice, hate, and intolerance, and how to combat these forces in their own lives. They learned what it means to be an upstander rather than a bystander. The New Mexico Holocaust & Intolerance Museum is a one-of-a-kind highlight to any Albuquerque vacation. Visit us to learn what you can do to prevent hate and intolerance and make our world a better, more equal place for all! 505-247-0606 https://nmholocaustmuseum.org/     

Celebrate Gloucester’s 375th and America’s 250th at the Museum of History! W. Robert Kelly, Jr., Historic Resources Supervisor Gloucester County Parks, Recreation & Tourism. Throughout 2026, Gloucester County, Virginia, proudly celebrates two milestones: the nation’s 250th anniversary and the county’s 375th birthday. Established in 1651, Gloucester stands among America’s oldest counties, with a history as complex as it is inspiring. That story comes to life at the Gloucester Museum of History. Housed within a tavern constructed in 1770, the Museum is located on Main Street in the heart of picturesque Gloucester Courthouse. Visitors of all ages can explore the county’s past through engaging exhibitions, artifacts, and interactive experiences that connect Gloucester to national stories of innovation, heroism, and sacrifice. In late 2025, the Museum unveiled a $130,000 exhibit to mark the 250 and 375th commemorations. Located on the second floor, believed to have once been the tavern’s ballroom, the new exhibit features engaging images, artifacts, and interactives, while showcasing the ballroom’s original 18th-century hardwood floors and window trim that evoke the ambiance of Colonial Williamsburg. Among the Museum’s most inspiring exhibits is Awakening: The Life & Legacy of T.C. Walker, which chronicles the journey of Gloucester’s first African American lawyer. Other visitor favorites include The Art of Carving: The Decoys of William McKinley Smith, featuring twenty-five hand-carved duck decoys, and Commerce Meets Community: Gloucester’s Country Stores, which brings the past to life with over fifty artifacts and several 120-year-old ledger books. An exhibit also shares the story of the 1781 Battle of the Hook, the largest cavalry battle of the American Revolution and key allied victory that contributed to the surrender at Yorktown. The Museum and nearby Courtcircle offer a complete experience. Guests can explore historic buildings, including the 1766 Courthouse, one of the oldest in Virginia. The Museum is open Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and admission is free.  https://gloucesterva.gov/museum-of-history  

The Roy Orbison Museum is a small museum dedicated to rock-n-roll legend and singer-songwriter Roy Orbison, who lived in Wink, TX as a child and performed with various country-western bands during the 1950s before heading on to pop stardom. The Museum was formed in 1989 by volunteers of Wink to pay tribute to a favorite former resident of this small oil field town, Roy Orbison after his death in December 1988. The museum houses memorabilia from all over the world courtesy of his many fans. While Wink, TX is very small, it attracts visitors from many countries around the world to visit the museum. Wink will celebrate their Centennial on May 9th, 2026, which promises to be a wonderful celebrations! When ready to visit us, contact Barbara at 432-999-8838 and to learn more online at: https://texastimetravel.com/directory/roy-orbison-museum/ The museum is free, but donations are always welcome! Our FB page: https://texastimetravel.com/directory/roy-orbison-museum/       

The Sewickley Heights History Center, located in the heart of Sewickley Heights, Pennsylvania, is a nonprofit, non‑endowed museum dedicated to preserving the natural beauty and historical integrity of the region. For more than 20 years, the museum has served the community by offering visitors an opportunity to step back into the late 1800s through the 1930s, a period marked by the height of the American Industrial Revolution. During this era, many of Pittsburgh’s prominent steel industrialists established their homes in Sewickley Heights, building grand estates across its rolling hills. The museum showcases this rich heritage through its collection of memorabilia, brass-era vehicles, horse‑drawn carriages, and historic photographs. The onsite theater features a variety of informative short films produced in-house, further bringing the area’s history to life. The History Center also offers guided tours, educational lectures, live music events, and rental opportunities for the public, continuing its commitment to community engagement and historical preservation. Check us out online: https://sewickleyheightshistory.org/

The Calaveras County Historical Society in San Andreas, CA was formed in 1952!  ​The historical society is a record of past events. Many counties in the State of California have their past events preserved in a written history of the county. This is not true of the county of Calaveras as its history has never been written.  ​Located in the center of the gold mining district of California, Calaveras is rich in history, tradition, romance, and lore. The early growth and development of the State of California mostly took place in the gold mining districts and Calaveras County contributed its full share. Many persons who later became leaders in the state at one time became gold miners in Calaveras County.  ​Many descendants of the early residents of Calaveras County are still living, and it is possible to collect from them a vast fund of early history of the county. Many of the issues of early newspapers are no longer in existence, but some of these early newspapers are available in museums and public libraries.  While visiting come see the Calaveras County Museum Complex, which is made up of three historic buildings: The Old Courthouse and Jail - 1867, The Hall of Records - 1893, and The Odd Fellows Hall - 1856. Within these interconnected buildings, the history of Calaveras County is told through objects, portraits, and photographs. Here you will find educational displays that tell the County's pre-history and Tribal culture, the stories of the early-pioneers, and the history of the Gold Rush encompassing the influence of European, Chinese, Mexican and many other cultures and their stories and objects related to mining and other industries in the County. https://www.historicalcalaveras.com/downtown-museum ​The prime purpose of the Calaveras County Historical Society is to collect and preserve for posterity the early history of Calaveras County. We invite you to come and visit us anytime where you will see history preserved form years past! Check us out online:  https://www.historicalcalaveras.com/ ​

The Glenn H. Curtiss Museum, in Hammondsport, NY bears the name of a pioneer aviator and Hammondsport’s favorite son! The museum is located on State Route 54, one half mile south of the village of Hammondsport, New York. Dedicated to the memory of Glenn Hammond Curtiss, the museum contains a priceless collection relating to early aviation and regional history. The museum also features a 75-seat theater, large open area for special events and a museum store. In addition to seeing the museum displays and exhibits, visitors are welcome to visit the Restoration Shop, talk with volunteer craftsman and watch them work on historic aircraft. The Glenn H. Curtiss Museum is an educational and cultural institution that collects, preserves, and interprets transportation modes and regional history, and celebrates the innovations and accomplishments of Glenn Hammond Curtiss. In the beginning for Glenn H. Curtiss, building and selling airplanes was not enough. He wanted people to understand the idea and beauty of flying his aircraft. Starting with the first sale of an airplane to the Aeronautical Society of New York in 1909, he agreed to teach two of its members, Charles Willard and Alexander Williams, how to fly.   By 1916, people from all walks of life were attending the Curtis School in one of ten locations across the country! He first trained U.S. Navy pilots, helping to create a strong Air Wing of the military. With the outbreak of World War I in 1914, many of the schools and instructors would become extensions of the military. These flying schools trained some of the finest aviators the world had ever seen. Afterwards, the Curtiss Flying Schools merged into the Curtiss Flying Service, continuing well up to the beginning of World War II. Today, the Museum is dedicated to preserving and displaying planes, automobiles and bicycles either originals, restores or reproductions from the late 1800’s to the 1940’s.  https://glennhcurtissmuseum.org/exhibits-on-display/ The Glenn H. Curtiss Museum is the perfect place to experience early history of all of this and more, covering WWI & WWII! Check out more information online - https://glennhcurtissmuseum.org/   Museum Opening Hours: May 1 – October 31st, 9am to 5pm daily. November 1 –April 30, 10am to 4pm daily **We are closed Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day.

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/#/

Spindletop Boomtown Museum takes visitors back in time to experience what life was like on the hill for the workers, the deal makers, and families who called this area home during the early 20th century boom days. On January 10, 1901 on Spindletop Hill outside of Beaumont, Texas, the Lucas Gusher roared to life. This spectacle ushered in the petroleum age, changing the course of United States history. In the beginning of the 20th century, the Southeast Texas economy, like that of most of the South, relied on subsistence agriculture, but cattle ranching and the lumber business were also important. Large ranches sent cattle to New Orleans, and mills in Beaumont and Orange produced lumber for shipment to the rest of America and overseas. Southeast Texas had another resource – oil – but the amount underground remained a mystery. To the north, settlers near Nacogdoches used seeping oil for lubricants before 1800. In 1847, the settlers at Sour Lake noticed that oil was bubbling to the surface, and after the Civil War Dick Dowling tried unsuccessfully to drill a well near there. There were numerous discoveries in east and central Texas in the later years, especially at Corsicana in 1896. Wildcatters drilled at Spindletop in 1893 and 1896 and at Sour Lake in 1896. However, there was no significant oil production along the Gulf Coast until the gusher at Spindletop in 1901. Total Texas oil production was 836,000 barrels in 1900, a small fraction of national production (63 million barrels). This was the start of the rich history and the oil boom and industry in South East Texas. The Spindletop Boomtown Museum explores all facets and more! Come visit us in Beaumont, TX and explore this amazing exploration and industry!  409-880-1750. Hours: Tuesday - Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.Sunday: 1:00 pm - 5:00 p.m. (closed Mondays and major holidays)  https://www.lamar.edu/spindletop-boomtown-museum/spindletop-history/index.html

The National Border Patrol Museum in El Paso, TX is one of a kind in the country and is a must visit! It all started on October 25, 1978, thirty-four Border Patrol Inspectors met in Denver, Colorado. The purpose of the meeting of that visionary group was to establish an organization which they named the “Fraternal Order of Retired Border Patrol Officers” (FORBPO). In addition to the establishment of FORBPO, these officers envisioned a National Border Patrol Museum. The institution that they envisioned would be charged with the collection, preservation, and display of Border Patrol artifacts and history. Thus, the creation of a National Border Patrol Museum, and the collection of artifacts began. A year later, on August 4, 1980, the Secretary of State for the State of Texas issued a Certificate of Incorporation Number 527890-1. This certificate identified the Museum as a tax-exempt entity under Section 501 C (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. On October 1, 1985, the National Border Patrol Museum opened its doors in the basement of the old Cortez building in downtown El Paso, Texas. The museum operated out of this humble facility until 1992 when it was closed due to a dispute with the landlord. Following the closure, the Museum property was stored until the new Museum was built in 1994. Today, The Border Patrol Museum offers several exhibits pertaining to Border Patrol Operations. The Sign Cutting exhibit features a diorama explaining how sign cutting operations and tracking work to detect illegal entries into the United States.  Additionally, the exhibit displays methods used by individuals to disguise their tracks in an effort to elude detection, and offers definitions to explain terminology used in tracking operations. Tracking has been an essential tool and skill learned and used by Agents since the inception of the Border Patrol. Also, complementing the museum’s rich Border Patrol collection, is the Memorial Library, which offers a range of materials on Border Patrol history from its inception in 1924 to the present. The library/archives provide support to researchers at all levels interested in furthering their understanding of the nation’s first line of defense: the Border Patrol. As the museum has evolved over the last 40 plus years it has become the proud repository for memorabilia and memories of more than 80 years of Border Patrol history. We encourage you to visit us when in El Paso or Texas and view this very important museum and the history of our country’s first line of defense! https://borderpatrolmuseum.com/  Located: 4315 Woodrow Bean Transmountain Dr, El Paso, TX. Open: Tuesday – Saturday, 9 AM – 5 PM (915) 759-6060