National Border Patrol Museum

National Border Patrol Museum
National Border Patrol Museum is located in Texas
National Border Patrol Museum
National Border Patrol Museum
Location within Texas
Established1985
Location4315 Woodrow Bean Transmountain Drive
El Paso, Texas
Coordinates31°53′56″N 106°26′27″W / 31.898804°N 106.440842°W / 31.898804; -106.440842
WebsiteNational Border Patrol Museum & Gift Shop

The National Border Patrol Museum is located at 4315 Woodrow Bean Transmountain Drive, in the county of El Paso, in the U.S. state of Texas.

The museum was established by a 1979 vote of the Fraternal Order of Retired Border Patrol Officers. The State of Texas issued its incorporation certificate in 1980 as a 501(c) 3 tax-exempt organization. Its first location from 1985 to 1992 was the Cortez Building in El Paso. From 1992 to 1994, museum artifacts were in storage awaiting construction of a new building. The current 10,000 square feet (930 m2) space opened its doors in 1994, and is located on 2 acres (0.81 ha; 0.0031 sq mi) of land northeast of El Paso.[1]

This is the only museum solely honoring the Border Patrol, and artifacts cover the agency's entire history.[2] Among the exhibits are weapons and vehicles used, including helicopters. There is a border patrol dog exhibit, an art exhibit and an exhibit of officer badges.[3] Depicted are various methods used by individuals to cross the border between Mexico and the United States.[4]

In 2019, protesters wheatpasted photos of individuals harmed by the Border Patrol over exhibitions honoring the fallen officers of the Border Patrol.[5]

Membership fees, private and corporation donations, and the purchase of memorial bricks help fund the museum.[6]

The museum is adjacent to the El Paso Museum of Archaeology at the base of the Franklin Mountains, surrounded by the Castner Range National Monument.

Border Patrol Vehicles

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Museums in Texas.

References

  1. ^ "History of Border Patrol Museum". Natl Border Patrol Museum. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  2. ^ Frommer's Texas. Frommer's. 2011. p. 340.
  3. ^ "Exhibits - National Border Patrol Museum". National Border Patrol Museum. Retrieved 2016-05-18.
  4. ^ Payan, Tony (2006). The Three U.S.-Mexico Border Wars: Drugs, Immigration, and Homeland Security. Praeger. pp. 73, 74. ISBN 978-0-275-98818-0.
  5. ^ Borunda, Daniel. "2 activists arrested in El Paso after surrendering in Border Patrol Museum protest case". El Paso Times. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  6. ^ "Funding". Natl Border Patrol Museum. Retrieved 5 May 2016.