Centennial Museum and Chihuahuan Desert Gardens
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centennialmuseum.bsky.social
Centennial Museum and Chihuahuan Desert Gardens
@centennialmuseum.bsky.social
El Paso's first museum showcasing the natural & cultural history of the Chihuahuan Desert, border life, & research by UTEP Faculty.
Open Monday–Saturday, 10 AM–4 PM
UTEP Campus | Free admission | All are welcome
✨ The Lhakhang will be OPEN today! ✨
The Lhakhang is one of the most stunning structures on campus!Admission is free, so don't miss your chance to visit the Lhakhang!🌸
📍Located at Centennial Plaza
🕘 Open from 11 AM to 1 PM
#Lhakhang #CentennialMuseum #ChihuahuanDesertGardens #CMCDG #UTEP #EPTX
December 17, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Museum Monday!
This beautifully preserved coiled basket, dating from 1900 to 1930, offers a glimpse into the diverse artistry of the Navajo (Diné) people.
#MM #NavajoArt #CMCDG #UTEP #EPTX
December 15, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Fossil Friday!
This week’s spotlight: Texan fossils that proudly carry “Texana” in their names!
These fossils were discovered at Cristo Rey, a site that holds traces of ancient seas and the creatures that once lived in them.
#FF #CristoRey #EPTX #UTEP #CMCDG
December 12, 2025 at 8:19 PM
These butterflies and moths once fluttered through gardens and fields, now preserved as delicate ambassadors of biodiversity. Displayed in the Cultivating Your Home gallery, they remind us how nature intertwines with the spaces we call home.
#MM #CultivatingYourHome #NaturalHistory #CMCDG #UTEP
December 8, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Plant of the Week! 🌱
Common name: Tracy's Hawthorne
Scientific name: Crataegus tracyi
Native range: Mountains in west Texas and south into Coahuila and Nuevo Leon.
This plant features thorny branches, a characteristic trait of many hawthorn species. It is considered useful for wildlife habitats.
December 7, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Fossil Friday! 🌊
These Paleozoic corals once thrived in warm seas over 250 million years ago. Their horn-like shapes and intricate patterns built reef habitats that supported vibrant marine life long before dinosaurs appeared.
#FF #CMCDG #Fossils #UTEP #EPTX
December 5, 2025 at 6:02 PM
🌵 The Dark Side of the Chihuahuan Desert 🌵
🌃The importance of natural night conditions for insects and their services 🌃
📅 Wednesday, December 10th
🕕 6:00 PM
📍 Centennial Museum — Refreshments provided!
#UTEP #CentennialMuseum #CMCDG #EnvironmentalScience #Sustainability #DesertLife #UTEPMiners
December 4, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Take a mindful break with us 🌿🌸
🌀 Learn how mandalas support meditation
🎨 Enjoy a guided artistic activity
🌿 Take a mindful break in a peaceful museum setting
#MindfulnessAtTheMuseum #MindfulArt #Mandala #CreativeCalm #WellnessWorkshop #CentennialMuseum #CMCDG #UTEP #ElPasoTx
December 3, 2025 at 6:00 PM
✨ The Lhakhang will be OPEN today! ✨
The Lhakhang is one of the most stunning structures on campus! It is regarded as a symbol of UTEP's deep connection to Bhutanese culture and architecture. Admission is free, so don't miss your chance to visit! 🌸
#Lhakhang #HiddenGem #CMCDG #UTEP #EPTX
December 3, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Get your holiday glow on with us! ☕🎄
Join us for our Hot Cocoa Hangout for sweet treats, cozy drinks, and festive fun! PLUS shop our curated selection of unique ornaments! See you Dec. 3rd! ✨🍩❄️
#HotCocoaHangout #HolidayEvents #UTEP #CentennialMuseum #CMCDG #ElPasoTx
November 27, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃

The Centennial Museum will be closed on the dates listed above for the holidays. We hope everyone has a restful and joy-filled weekend. We will be back on Monday, December 1st during regular museum hours.
November 27, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Plant of the Week!
Common name: Desert Bahia
Scientific name: Picradeniopsis absinthifolia
The plant is low-growing or semi-shrubby, growing to 20-45 cm in height. These flowers attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies!
#POTW #CMCDG #UTEP #EPTX
November 16, 2025 at 6:00 PM
✨ The Lhakhang will be OPEN today! ✨
Take a moment to experience one of UTEP’s most iconic structures, rich in history and connections across cultures. 🌸
📍Located at Centennial Plaza
🕘 Open from 11 AM to 1 PM
#Lhakhang #CMCDG #UTEP #EPTX
November 12, 2025 at 4:02 PM
✨ The Lhakhang will be OPEN tomorrow! ✨
The Lhakhang is one of the most stunning structures on campus! Admission is free, so don't miss your chance to visit the Lhakhang!🌸
📍Located at Centennial Plaza
🕘 Open from 11 AM to 1 PM
#Lhakhang #CMCDG #UTEP #EPTX
November 11, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Museum Monday Feature: Plant Fiber Sandal, ca. 900 CE
For thousands of years, people of the Chihuahuan Desert have relied on the land’s resources for food, shelter, and clothing. This sandal, woven from plant fibers, reflects a deep knowledge of the desert environment.
#MM #CMCDG #UTEP #EPTX
November 10, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Plant of the Week!
Common Name: Coyotillo
Scientific Name: Karwinskia humboldtiana
Coyotillo is a shrub or small tree that can grow from one to four meters tall. It produces small, greenish or yellowish flowers that are clustered in the leaf axils.
#POTW #CMCDG #UTEP #EPTX
November 9, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Fossil Friday Feature: Mastodon Tusk
This mastodon tusk was discovered in El Paso, offering a glimpse into the Ice Age animals that once roamed the region! Come check it out today here at the Centennial Museum.
#FF #CMCDG #UTEP #EPTX
November 7, 2025 at 5:04 PM
✨ The Lhakhang will be OPEN today! ✨
The Lhakhang is one of the most stunning structures on campus! Admission is free, so don't miss your chance to visit the Lhakhang!🌸
📍Located at Centennial Plaza
🕘 Open from 11 AM to 1 PM
#Lhakhang #CMCDG #UTEP #EPTX
November 5, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Understanding Ecosystems in the Southwest Join Dr. Marguerite E. Mauritz, Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences at UTEP, for an inspiring talk on how plants, animals, and microorganisms adapt to the Southwest’s rainfall #CentennialMuseum#SouthwestEcology #EnvironmentalScience #NatureTalk
November 4, 2025 at 6:59 PM
✨ The Lhakhang will be OPEN today! ✨
The Lhakhang is one of the most stunning structures on campus! Admission is free, so don't miss your chance to visit the Lhakhang!🌸
📍Located at Centennial Plaza
🕘 Open from 11 AM to 1 PM
#Lhakhang #CMCDG #UTEP #EPTX
October 29, 2025 at 3:06 PM
✨ The Lhakhang will be OPEN tomorrow! ✨
The Lhakhang is one of the most stunning structures on campus! Admission is free, so don't miss your chance to visit the Lhakhang!🌸
📍Located at Centennial Plaza
🕘 Open from 11 AM to 1 PM
#Lhakhang #CMCDG #UTEP #EPTX
October 28, 2025 at 3:03 PM
🦎 Museum Monday Feature: The Mexican Plateau Horned Lizard
Horned lizards are a protected species in Texas, meaning it’s illegal to capture, handle, or keep them as pets. Observing them in their natural habitat helps ensure their continued survival in the wild. 🌵
#MM #UTEP #CMCDG #EPTX
October 27, 2025 at 5:00 PM
✨ Fossil Friday ✨
This Friday we are featuring a real dinosaur fossil! 🦖🦴
Discovered in the Colorado Plateau, the "dino gem" is a testament to the geological marvels of the region. 🦴✨
Come check out this amazing fossil in our Dinosaur room here at the Centennial Museum!
#FF #CMCDG #UTEP #EPTX
October 24, 2025 at 6:26 PM
✨ The Lhakhang will be OPEN today! ✨
The Lhakhang is one of the most stunning structures on campus! Admission is free, so don't miss your chance to visit the Lhakhang!🌸
📍Located at Centennial Plaza
🕘 Open from 11 AM to 1 PM
📸 Tag us in your photos and share the magic!
#Lhakhang #CMCDG #UTEP #EPTX
October 22, 2025 at 3:05 PM
🍫 Interested in making chocolate from scratch? 🍫
Experience the ancestral art of chocolate-making with the Cacao Coyatoc family, rooted in Zoque traditions.
🕘 Wednesday, October 22nd 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM
📍Centennial Museum Assembly Garden
#ChocolateLover #CMCDG #UTEP #EPTX
October 20, 2025 at 5:14 PM