The Border Archives Bazaar, a free, fun, educational event that brings visitors face-to-face with fascinating historical materials from across the Borderland, is this Saturday, Oct. 10, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Sul Ross State University’s Espino Conference Center in Alpine.
Organized by the Border Regional Archives Group (BRAG), the bazaar features rare documents, photographs, maps, publications and more that showcase the unique history and cultural heritage of our region. The year’s theme, “Living with the Land/Viviendo con la Tierra,” highlights the role the environment plays in people’s lives and legacies throughout the border region.
“This is the first time the bazaar has come to the Big Bend, and it felt perfectly timed as we continue to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Archives of the Big Bend,” said Victoria Contreras, head of archives. “Our region’s history is so tied to the land, how people have lived with it, worked it, and been shaped by it. We’re excited to share these collections with the community and to spend the day talking with people about what archives do and why they matter.”
The event brings together resources from more than a dozen libraries, archives, museums and historical societies of southern New Mexico and West Texas. Other participating institutions include New Mexico State University Library Archives and Special Collections, University of Texas-El Paso Library C.L. Sonnichsen Special Collections, Texas Tech University’s Southwestern Collection, Eastern New Mexico University Golden Library, El Paso Public Library Border Heritage Center, Brewster County Clerk’s Office, El Paso County Historical Society, the International Museum of Art (El Paso), the Railroad & Transportation Museum of El Paso del Norte, and the Railway and Locomotive Historical Society, among others. The bazaar underscores the role that archives play in preserving and promoting our cultural heritage.
A series of presentations and tours throughout the day will feature regional experts on Trost architecture, Peter Koch photography in the Big Bend, archival preservation and more.
For more information, contact Victoria Contreras by emailing victoria.contreras@sulross.edu or calling 432-837-8388.