The Centennial Museum, El Paso's first established museum, opened in April 1937, through funds allocated to the city by the Texas State Centennial Commission. Because the city of El Paso could not guarantee that it could always maintain such a museum, the College of Mines (now UTEP) accepted the deed of trust.

The Centennial Museum was built to blend in with the campus' distinctive Bhutanese architecture, with the signature tile mandalas and the steep sloping walls fashioned after Bhutanese fortresses. Stone urns shaped as prayer wheels grace both sides of the main entrance steps.

The museum contains artwork from some of El Paso's most renowned artists that depicts some of the area's history. A lintel-an eight-ton block of limestone-sits above the front doors. Carved into the lintel is a design created by the late Tom Lea, El Paso's "Renaissance Man." The design depicts Spanish explorer Cabeza de Vaca arriving at the Pass of the North in 1536. Lea's original drawing, which was used as a template for the carving, is housed in Special Collections at the University Library.

The Museum Gift Shop offers specialty books about the region, including information about native plants. Jewelry and crafts from the region, including the work of UTEP students, may also be found there.

Endowments, profits from store and plant sales, and donations from the public help keep the Centennial Museum-El Paso's first museum-open for all to enjoy.

Exhibit galleries are open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Check the Museum website for directions, exceptions to regular hours, information about exhibits and special programs.