Museums of Port Isabel
Port Isabel, Texas
Description

The Museums of Port Isabel located in historic Port Isabel at the southernmost tip of Texas surrounded by the beautiful waters of the Laguna Madre Bay consists of three unique museums - the Port Isabel Lighthouse Historic Site complex, the Port Isabel Historical Museum, and the Treasures of the Gulf Museum. Each of the museum compliments the other and each interprets the maritime, military, art, history and culture of the Laguna Madre area. All three museums are located in the downtown historic district and are walking distance from each other as well as from restuarants,shopping,fishing, dolphin and natural history boat excursions and more.

History

The Museums of Port Isabel were established in 1996 to preserve the heritage of the area as well as to promote economic development. Funds received from the Rio Grande Valley Empowerment Zone as well as from private donations made it possible to open the three museums.

Artifact Collections

The artifact collections consist of items relating to the art, history and culture of the Laguna Madre area. Of note is the U.S. Mexican War artifact collections with more than 5,000 pieces, and archives consisting of documents, maps, and photographs.

Research Collections

The research collections consists of newspaper clipping files, maps, plat books, newspapers from the 1920s - 60s, documents and photogrpahs depicting the history of Port Isabeland the Shrimping and Fishing Industry.

Programs

Telling Our Stories: Oral History Program is scheduled the last Thursday of each month from January to September at 7:00 p.m. Admission is Free.
Guided tours are offered with at least a two week advanced notice.
The Museum hosts Lighthouse Establishment Cinema in the summer months which consists of free movies shown on the side of the lighthouse tower. Historical video in shown before the movie.
Celebrates the Fall and Spring with Queen Isabel Arts and Heritage Festival in April and Port Isabel Lighthouse Arts and Heritage Festival in October. Tours of the museum, booths, arts, music, dance and theatre are presented from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Lighthouse Park.
"Los Colores del Muerto" Day of the Dead Festival. One of the largest in the Rio Grande Valley. One day event with food, art and craft booths, hands on activities, day of the dead altars, music, poetry readings, theater and art.
Library

Access: Students, Scholars, Members

Appointment required: True

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MUSEUM CONFERENCES

Virginia Association of Museum's 2025 Annual Conference!

March 15 - 18, 2025

Blacksburg, Virginia

Ohio Museum Asociation 2025 Annual Conference - Athens

March 29 - 31, 2025

Athens, Ohio

North Carolina Museums Council 2025 Annual Conference

March 30 - 31, 2025

Raleigh, North Carolina

Arkansas Museums Association 2025 Conference

March 31 - April 3, 2025

Washington, Arkansas

New York Museum Association 2025 Conference in Ithaca, NY

April 5 - 8, 2025

Ithaca, New York

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