Upcoming Exhibitions

Discover the rich tapestry of Texas history through the “Going to Texas: Five Centuries of Texas Maps” exhibition, showcasing 64 original maps from the Yana and Marty Davis Map Collection from the Museum of the Big Bend, Sul Ross University in Alpine, TX. Spanning 1548 to 2006, the maps trace Texas’ path from “New Spain” to colonial days, statehood and beyond, revealing the changing perspectives of explorers, settlers and cartographers. The maps document the development of Texas, chart transport lines and guide the military, while the earliest maps demonstrate cartography as an art that centuries later evolved into a science. Works from the Briscoe’s collection and other loans highlighting Texas history will be showcased alongside the maps.

The exhibition vividly depicts the discovery, exploration, settlement and development of Texas across key periods including Spanish Texas, Mexican Texas, the Republic of Texas and beyond. Each map serves as a primary document revealing the evolving geographical knowledge and cartographic artistry of its era. Step into history and explore how these maps, originally tools of exploration and strategy, have shaped our understanding of Texas and its cultural intersections with American and European influences. Whether a scholar or a curious visitor, immerse yourself in a compelling narrative of Texas’ vibrant heritage at this exclusive exhibition.