Programs and Special Events

The MOSTH Educational programs include lectures, book signings, demonstrations, and hands-on activities for visitors of all ages. For more information, contact Melissa Tijerina at (956) 383-6911. Programs are included in the price of admission to the museum unless otherwise stated. Friends of the Museum are admitted at no charge.

Saturday, Feb.21,2009 (10a.m.- 4 p.m.) PIONEER AND RANCHING CRAFTS DAY
This annual special event features South Texas and northeastern arts and crafts.
Artisans from throughout the lower Rio Grande Valley and northeastern Mexico demonstrate crafts used by early settlers of the area. Highlights include woodworking, horsehair braiding, weaving, chuck wagon cooking and activities for children scheduled throughout the day. Traditional foods and live music, in an outdoor setting make this event the largest of the year.

Sunday, March 9, 2008 (2p.m.-4p.m.) Professor Norman Rozeff will give a talk and have a book signing on his book "Sugarcane and the Development of the Lower Rio Grande Valley, 1875-1922." It is a comprehensive history of the era which brought the Valley into the 20th century.

March 29: HERITAGE RANCH GALA The Heritage Ranch Gala, honoring the 2008 Heritage Associate FRIENDS, will be held at the historic Punta del Monte Ranch in Kenedy County. The Butler Family along with other descendants of Don Franciso Yturria are joining with the Board of Trustees of the Museum to celebrate the 150th anniversary of registering the Yturria’s first cattle brand, the first step to entering the livestock raising business.

Advance reservations are required and may be made by calling the Museum (956-383-6911) with a credit card. Reservation are $160 per person for current FRIENDS of MOSTH and $185 for Potential FRIENDS. Heritage Associate FRIENDS are extended complimentary reservations commiserate with the level of giving. To find out more on how to become a Heritage Associate FRIEND, contact Lynne Beeching, Development Officer.

Thursday, April 10, 2008 (6P.M. - 8 P.M.) A FRIEND’S NIGHT. A Private Viewing with Wine and Hor Douvres for the “Books of Nobility: Cartas de Hidalguía” Exhibit. Émigrés from Spain compiled and maintained family lineages showing noble descent. Exhibit will showcase these all-important lineage documents, or cartas de hidalguía, from the 17th and 18th Centuries.

Monday, April 14 or 28, 2008 (1 P.M. – 3 P.M.) Tamale-making Classes w/ Chef Melissa Guerra. Talk & Demonstration Each participant will make a dozen tamales to cook at home. All ingredients are included in fee. $25.00 per person and $10.00 to audit. Reservation required. Please call (956) 383-6911 to reserve a space and receive a list of supplies.

Sunday, April 27, 2008 (2P.M. - 4 P.M.) A program for the temporary exhibit. "Books of Nobility: Cartas de Hidalguia" Ricardo and Debbie Backal (collectors) will give a PowerPoint presentation on the "Books of Nobility" In Spanish Colonial times, émigrés from Spain compiled and maintained family lineages showing noble descent. Examples of these all-important lineage documents, or cartas de hidalguia, from the 17th and 18th Centuries will enable visitors to see first-hand this little-known aspect of life in colonial Mexico, or Nueva Espana. Hand-written, hand-illuminated, and bound in book form, the "letters of nobility" served their owners much as genealogical charts do today – as a tangible record of family roots.

Sunday, May 4, 2008 (2P.M.-4P.M.) The Balli Family History – Reynosa and Matamoros. A Talk and Book signing with author Joel René Escobar. The new Book will be for sale at the museum store.

Sunday, May 18, 2008 "Lawman of the Rio Grande: Casimiro Perez-Alvarez" Araceli Perez-Davis will give a talk on Casimiro Perez-Alvarez. A Deputy U. S. Marshal in deep South Texas in the turbulent early 1900’s. This special exhibit focuses on his role as a lawman, with artifacts, photos, and documents. A well-educated son of a Starr County ranch family had many other facets also – rancher, farmer, educator, and newspaper publisher; his Spanish language paper helped focus attention on the concerns of the region’s Mexican-Texan populace. An exhibit on Casimiro Perez-Alvarez is located in the Old Jail Gallery.

Wednesday, May 14 or 28, 2008 (1 P.M. – 3 P.M.) Tamale-making Classes w/ Chef Melissa Guerra. Talk & Demonstration Each participant will make a dozen tamales to cook at home. All ingredients are included in fee. $25.00 per person and $10.00 to audit. Reservation required. Please call (956) 383-6911 to reserve a space and receive a list of supplies.

Sunday, May 25, 2008 (2P.M.-4P.M.)"Journey to Gonzalez" A PowerPoint presentation and talk with author Melodie Cuate. Book three of the series, “Journey to Gonzales,” is about three students in the middle of events leading up to the Battle of Gonzales. Cuate was the winner of the Linden Heck Howell Outstanding Teaching of Texas History Award from Humanities Texas. The award recognized her teaching and writing.

October 25: ¡FANDANGO! A colorfully casual evening of fast-paced auction fun, good food, and great company held on-site at the Museum. This indoor/outdoor event benefits the annual operation of the Museum.

Hours Open to the Public: 10a.m.- 5p.m.,Tuesday thru Saturday, 1p.m.- 5p.m., Sunday Closed on Mondays

2008 Annual Special Events

February 16, Saturday - Pioneer and Ranching Crafts Day
10am-4pm
Scheduled for the 3rd Saturday in February, artisans from throughout the lower Rio Grande Valley demonstrate crafts used by early settlers of the area. Highlights include woodworking, spinning, horsehair braiding, and activities for children scheduled throughout the day. Traditional foods and live music, in an outdoor setting make Pioneer and Ranching Crafts Day the largest special event of the year.

Special Event Admission Fees:

Adults: $6.50
Senior Citizens (62 and older): $5.50
Active Military (with ID)$5.50
Students (12 and over with ID): $5.00
Children (Ages 4-12): $4.00
Children (Ages 0-3): Free
Coupons or discounts are not valid.

For more information please contact Melissa Tijerina