Museum of the Big Bend

Purpose: Sustaining Cultural Heritage The Museum of the Big Bend is in the process of moving its collections, exhibits, and programs from a temporary location in an academic building on the campus of Sul Ross State University back into the original structure, built in 1937. A capital campaign to raise $3.3 million has been completed, and an architect is working on schematic design. Phase 2 of the project involves exhibits and programs. This grant will be used to help pay for exhibit design services; it will be matched by a major Texas foundation, and the museum and the university will contribute staff time and administrative costs. The design phase will begin in November 2004 and end in October 2005. At that point, exhibit fabrication and installation will begin. The museum's service region is vast (12,000 square miles) and culturally diverse, with a population that is more than 50 percent Mexican American. The museum serves the university, the community, and local schools. In its location at the gateway to the Big Bend and Davis Mountains, the museum provides an introduction to the natural history, history, and cultures of the area to visitors from all over the world.