Las Cruces offers an extensive array of art organizations, galleries, museums, studios and public art that display and showcase a range of sculptures, fine art, paintings, photographs, historical artifacts and performing arts and theater. Here, visitors have the chance to not only observe the talents of our many gifted artisans, but also to learn about the history, culture and diversity of our people and how all these factors work to inspire their creativity.
The Branigan Cultural Center
500 N. Water Street (on the downtown Mall)
The Branigan Cultural Center features in-house and traveling exhibitions, regional historical and permanent collections and the work of local and regional artists. Monday – Friday, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm and Saturday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. www.las-cruces.org/museums The Las Cruces Museum of Art
490 N. Water Street (on the Downtown Mall)
The Las Cruces Museum of Art hosts traveling exhibits and features the works of regionally and nationally known artists. The exhibits change several times a year and are often accompanied by lectures and demonstrations. Monday – Friday 10:00 am- 4 pm and Saturday 9 am – 1 pm. www.las-cruces.org/museums
Las Cruces Railroad Museum
351 N. Mesilla Street
Las Cruces Railroad Museum interprets the railroading history of Las Cruces and the Mesilla Valley. Housed in a historic Santa Fe Depot, our displays include railroading tools, railroadiana, and model trains. Thursday – Saturday 10am – 4pm. www.las-cruces.org/museums
Museum of Natural History
700 S. Telshor Blvd. (inside the Mesilla Valley Mall)
The museum features live animals and plants of the Chihuahuan Desert, along with hands-on science and natural history exhibits for children. Visiting shows run the gamut from dinosaurs to the solar system. Located at the southeast end of the Mesilla Valley Mall. Monday – Thursday 10 am – 5 pm, Friday 10 am – 8 pm, Saturday 10 am – 5 pm and Sunday 1 – 5 pm (575) 522-3120. www.las-cruces.org/museums
New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum
The Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum is the largest of its kind in the world. It features the agricultural history, heritage and science of the state with an emphasis on hands-on exhibits such as blacksmithing, plowing, outdoor animal and plant life. Located 1.5 miles east of Telshor on University Avenue. Tuesday – Saturday 9 am – 5 pm Sundays Noon – 5 pm $3 for adults, $2 for seniors, (60 and up), $1 for children 6 to 17, five and under are free.
(575) 522-4100. www.frhm.org
New Mexico State University Museum- Kent Hall
1280 E. University Avenue, corner of University Ave. and Solano.
A repository and exhibitor of local and regional culture and history. Tuesday – Saturday, noon – 4 pm (575) 646-5161. www.nmsu.edu/museum
Shalam Colony & Oahspe Museum
The Shalam Colony & Oahspe Mystery Museum is a small museum showcasing the true story of a mysterious manuscript and the first children’s utopia that was created because of it, right here in Las Cruces. Saturdays from noon to 5:00 pm, and some Sundays, or by appointment. http://archives.nmsu.edu/exhibits/shalam/
Space Murals, Inc.
12450 Highway 70 East. (10 miles east of Las Cruces)
The museum features a gigantic water tower mural and museum honoring the space program. There is also an astronaut gallery, space artifacts and gift shop. Monday – Saturday 9 am – 5 pm, Sunday 10 am – 5 pm (575) 382-0977. www.zianet.com/spacemurals
White Sands Missile Range Museum & Missile Park
Located on White Sands Base (25 miles east of the city on US. Highway 70)
The facilities focus on the origin of the U.S. missile and space programs, and the beginning of the nuclear age. The Missile Park features weapons that won the Cold War and Operation Desert Storm. Visitors enter the post at the Las Cruces gate, about 25 miles east of the city on US. Highway 70. Tell sentries you are going to visit the museum and Missile Park. You must have a current driver’s license, car registration and proof of insurance to enter. Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 4 pm, Saturday and Sunday 10 am – 3 pm, closed for federal holidays. (575) 678-8824. www.wsmr-history.org
The Zuhl Geological Collection at New Mexico State University
775 College Drive (inside the New Mexico State University Alumni and Visitor’s Center.)
Part art gallery, part natural history museum, the Zuhl collection at NMSU showcases thousands of beautiful specimens of petrified wood, fossils and minerals. Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm (575) 646-3616. http://www.nmsu.edu/zuhl/index.html |
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