Unique Historical Treasures Featured at the 10th Annual Border Archives Bazaar

The Border Archives Bazaar is a free, fun, educational event that brings visitors face-to-face with fascinating historical materials from across the Borderland. The event will be held Saturday, October 10th, 10 AM to 4 PM, 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 theme of this year’s Bazaar, 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 and now the 10th Annual Border Archives Bazaar,” said Victoria Contreras, Head of Archives, at Sul Ross State University. “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. Participating institutions include: Sul Ross State University Library & Archives, NMSU Library Archives and Special Collections, UTEP 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. Archivists, librarians, and museum curators will be on hand to discuss and answer questions about archives and regional history.

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.

The Border Regional Archives Group (BRAG) is an association of archivists, librarians, museum professionals, and historians dedicated to preserving and promoting the documentary heritage of the border region spanning west Texas and southern New Mexico. BRAG hosts the annual Border Archives Bazaar to connect the public with the region’s rich historical collections. Connect with BRAG on Facebook.

For more information, please contact: Victoria Contreras, Archives of the Big Bend, Bryan Wildenthal Memorial Library, Sul Ross State University, victoria.contreras@sulross.edu, 432-837-8388