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Bandera County Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Patricia Moore and Frontier Times Museum Executive Director Rebecca Norton speak to Bandera Economic Development Corporation members about the Smithsonian Institution Museum on Main Street.
Photo by Jessica Nohealapa’ahi
April 2, 2025
Bandera prepares for historic Smithsonian Institution Museum on Main Street
By Jessica Nohealapa’ahi
The Bandera Prophet
The countdown has begun for the Smithsonian Institution Museum on Main Street’s final stop. The traveling exhibit’s finale is set to be on display throughout Bandera from June 21 to July 26.
“We are the last city to host the Smithsonian exhibit [Crossroads: Change in Rural America],” Bandera County Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Patricia Moore said.
Bandera was one of seven cities chosen by the Texas Historical Commission, from among 53 applicants throughout the state. The main display was originally slated to set up in the Old Jail, however plans had to pivot as that restoration project will not be completed. Now, the primary location will be the Bandera Middle School. Numerous satellite exhibits are planned all over the county, including the Frontier Times and Bandera Natural History and Art Museums; the Bandera, Lakehills and Medina Libraries; the Pipe Creek Community Center; and several merchants in the city’s historic district. Moore said a map detailing all locations is being designed.
Some of the exhibits will highlight the history of Bandera’s Stompede Days, rodeo, music, cowboys, agriculture, archaeology, landmark buildings and dude ranches.
“It is quite exciting. It’s a feather in the cap for Bandera to be chosen for this project,” Moore said. “We’re open to any and all citizens who want to participate.”
The middle school, 1005 Cherry Street, will be open Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.
Museum on Main Street is a partnership between the Smithsonian Institution and State Humanities Councils nationwide that serves the small-town museums and citizens of rural America. At its conclusion, exhibitions will have been hosted by more than 1,900 communities in all 50 states.
“We are the last city to host the Smithsonian exhibit [Crossroads: Change in Rural America],” Bandera County Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Patricia Moore said.
Bandera was one of seven cities chosen by the Texas Historical Commission, from among 53 applicants throughout the state. The main display was originally slated to set up in the Old Jail, however plans had to pivot as that restoration project will not be completed. Now, the primary location will be the Bandera Middle School. Numerous satellite exhibits are planned all over the county, including the Frontier Times and Bandera Natural History and Art Museums; the Bandera, Lakehills and Medina Libraries; the Pipe Creek Community Center; and several merchants in the city’s historic district. Moore said a map detailing all locations is being designed.
Some of the exhibits will highlight the history of Bandera’s Stompede Days, rodeo, music, cowboys, agriculture, archaeology, landmark buildings and dude ranches.
“It is quite exciting. It’s a feather in the cap for Bandera to be chosen for this project,” Moore said. “We’re open to any and all citizens who want to participate.”
The middle school, 1005 Cherry Street, will be open Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.
Museum on Main Street is a partnership between the Smithsonian Institution and State Humanities Councils nationwide that serves the small-town museums and citizens of rural America. At its conclusion, exhibitions will have been hosted by more than 1,900 communities in all 50 states.