The Briscoe’s Fall Exhibition, Going to Texas: 5 Centuries of Texas Maps Oct. 3, 2025 – Jan. 19, 2026
Chart 500 Years of Texas Historical past By means of Maps at The Briscoe
Uncover the wealthy tapestry of Texas historical past by way of the Briscoe Western Artwork Museum’s landmark exhibition, Going to Texas: 5 Centuries of Texas Maps on view Oct. 3, 2025 – Jan. 19, 2026. Showcasing 66 unique maps from the Yana and Marty Davis Map Assortment on mortgage from the Museum of the Large Bend at Sul Ross State College in Alpine, the exhibition spans almost 500 years, from 1525 to 2006. The maps hint Texas’ outstanding transformation from “New Spain” to colonial days, statehood and past—revealing how explorers, settlers, and cartographers seen the Lone Star State throughout centuries. To additional illustrate Texas historical past, the exhibition additionally options greater than 24 works from the Briscoe’s everlasting assortment and choose non-public loans.
“This exhibition invitations guests to journey by way of time and actually see historical past unfold throughout the maps,” stated Liz Jackson, President and CEO of the Briscoe Western Artwork Museum. “The accompanying packages make it potential for everybody to attach with cartography in new and thrilling methods, bringing the maps to life for all ages. From households discovering the right way to use a compass to adults studying about Texas whiskey the packages and exhibition are a one-of-a-kind alternative to discover Texas’ story differently.”
Interactive Parts Carry Maps to Life
As a part of Going to Texas, the Briscoe is bringing historical past to life with hands-on actions the entire household will get pleasure from. Company can step into the function of early explorers by studying the right way to use a compass, then put their new abilities to the take a look at by navigating by way of the museum. With coordinates resulting in paintings and artifacts tied to the exhibition, it’s an journey that makes maps interactive, enjoyable and unforgettable.
The exhibition additionally options an augmented actuality sand station that transforms topographic maps right into a residing panorama. By shaping the sand, guests can see contour strains shift as valleys, hills and rivers spring to life, revealing how terrain formed the routes, settlements and cultures of Texas. It’s a dynamic, immersive expertise that makes the world of maps and exploration thrilling for all ages.
Exhibition Packages and Occasions
Be the primary to discover the exhibition and expertise this distinctive have a look at Texas historical past with Liz Jackson, President and CEO of the Briscoe, and Dr. John Klingemann, Director of the Museum of the Large Bend. The occasion contains complimentary valet, beer, wine, specialty cocktails and lightweight bites. Tickets are $25 for museum members and Contributing and President’s Society membership tiers obtain two tickets.
Going to Texas: 5 Centuries of Texas Maps Unique Preview Get together
Thursday, Oct. 2 | 6 – 8 p.m.
Museum members might improve their membership by calling 210.299.4499. The general public is welcome to attend and should buy tickets for $45. Tickets are out there on-line.
Opening Weekend Going to Texas Exhibition Excursions
Friday, Oct. 3 | 2 p.m., and Saturday, Oct. 4 | 2 p.m.
Be part of Dr. John Klingemann, Director of the Museum of the Large Bend and Vice President for Growth and Development at Sul Ross State College and historian Matt Walter for knowledgeable insights into the artistry and historical past behind the maps in a guided tour by way of the exhibition. Walter labored because the Curator of Collections on the Museum of the Large Bend earlier than retiring in 2023 and as a present volunteer, helps curate the Yana and Marty Davis Map Assortment and the Going to Texas exhibition. Free with museum admission and free for members.
Texas Trails and Whiskey Tales with Andrew Braunberg
Sunday, Oct. 26 | 6 p.m.
Increase a glass to Texas historical past with writer Andrew Braunberg, whose guide Fires, Floods, Explosions and Bloodshed: A Historical past of Texas Whiskey traces the colourful story of whiskey within the Lone Star State. Company will get pleasure from a whiskey tasting, a signature cocktail in a memento glass, mild bites and the chance to buy signed copies of Braunberg’s guide. This system is restricted to friends 21+ and pre-registration is required. Tickets are $50 per individual and $35 for museum members.
Prolonged Hours & Programming Make it Straightforward – and Enjoyable! – to Head West
The Briscoe is dedicated to participating the neighborhood with quite a lot of family-friendly and academic packages for all ages – all included in museum admission. The museum gives prolonged hours on Thursday, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. and is open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Friday – Monday. Kids 12 and beneath at all times obtain free admission on the Briscoe, making these packages reasonably priced household enjoyable:
Highlights Tour – Get pleasure from a guided tour by way of the museum’s galleries by way of these 45-minute excursions every Thursday at 2 p.m., with stops at a number of the most important and hanging items within the Briscoe’s assortment. With regularly rotating artworks on show, this tour is right for each first-time guests and long-term pals of the museum.
Locals Day – Come say howdy and discover the West without cost as a San Antonio native. San Antonio and Bexar County residents get pleasure from free admission on the primary Sunday of every month. Upcoming dates: Oct. 5, Nov. 2, Dec. 7, Jan. 4.
Full STEAM Forward – Dive into this month-to-month hands-on exercise on the primary Sunday of every month with kids and households combining science, know-how, engineering, artwork and math with Western themes. Full STEAM Forward falls on the Briscoe’s month-to-month Locals Days, giving households a chance to discover the museum and luxuriate in hands-on actions collectively. Map-related packages embrace:
Full STEAM Forward: Discovering Your WaySunday, Oct. 5 | 1–3 p.m.
Households will find out how explorers navigated by compass, then craft their very own compass and use it to discover. Excellent for curious learners of all ages.
Full STEAM Forward: Salt Maps
Sunday, Jan. 4 | 1–3 p.m.
Discover various kinds of maps and their meanings, then create a topographical salt map to take residence. A enjoyable, tactile strategy to perceive the landscapes that formed Texas historical past.
Scout the Briscoe – Hunt and luxuriate in a enjoyable interactive strategy to see extra of the Briscoe’s assortment in a free scavenger hunt on the primary Sunday of every month. Finishing the hunt is a household affair and you’ll get pleasure from a ten% low cost within the museum’s Hendler Household Museum Retailer when you end. Upcoming dates: Oct. 5, Nov. 2, Dec. 7, Jan. 4.
Going to Texas: 5 Centuries of Texas Maps was organized by the Museum of the Large Bend at Sul Ross College in Alpine, Texas. The exhibition is sponsored partly by Julie and Ralph Beck, Mr. & Mrs. Marrs McLean Bowman, the Metropolis of San Antonio Division of Arts & Tradition, Jessica Elliott Middleton, the Tex Elliott Household, H-E-B, Humanities Texas, Korbell Household Ranches, The Plum Basis | Debbie & John T. Montford, Carol & Thomas M. Reding, Jr., the Summerlee Basis, the Texas Fee on the Arts, the Williams-Chadwick Household Charitable Fund of the San Antonio Space Basis and in-kind help from Story to Inform Communications.
See the West All Yr Lengthy on the Briscoe
Positioned alongside the historic San Antonio River Stroll, the Briscoe is open Thursday, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., Friday by way of Monday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and closed to the general public on Tuesday and Wednesday. Admission is free for youngsters 12 and beneath and for energetic responsibility navy. The museum grounds function 35 sculptures portraying varied elements of Western life. The museum’s fantastically restored historic residence inside the previous San Antonio Public Library constructing contains 14 galleries, with particular exhibitions, occasions and the Hendler Household Museum Retailer, offering artwork, tradition, historical past and leisure. Museum hours, parking and admission particulars can be found on-line.
About The Briscoe Western Artwork Museum:
Preserving and presenting the artwork, historical past and tradition of the American West by way of participating exhibitions, academic packages and public occasions reflective of the area’s wealthy traditions and shared heritage, the Briscoe Western Artwork Museum is situated on the San Antonio River Stroll at 210 W. Market Road within the fantastically restored Thirties former San Antonio Public Library constructing. Named in honor of the late Texas Gov. Dolph Briscoe Jr. and his spouse, Janey Slaughter Briscoe, the museum contains the three-story Jack Guenther Pavilion, used for occasion leases and packages, and the out of doors McNutt Sculpture Backyard. Comply with the Briscoe on social media, @BriscoeMuseum.
