The Museums of Port Isabel are proud to announce its 23rd Annual ‘TASTE of the LAGUNA MADRE’ Museum Fundraiser featuring fresh local fare & PELICAN WEST! Get your tickets online!

The Museums of Port Isabel will host this culinary event on Friday, February 7, 2020 from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Port Isabel Event & Cultural Center. Dishes prepared by local restaurants will be top of the fare and includes side dishes, desserts and beverages. Live music by PELICAN WEST, door prizes, a silent auction and a Port Isabel Adventure Package raffle are all part of the $25 ticket price.

This IS the Museums of Port Isabel’s major fundraiser. Donations will be used to upgrade Museum’s exhibits and support programs. Info: 956/943-7602 or museumdirector@copitx.com. Tickets can be purchased at the door, Port Isabel City Hall, Port Isabel Public Library, Port Isabel Chamber of Commerce, South Padre Island Chamber of Commerce or at the Museums of Port Isabel or online: https://2020-mopi-fundraiser.eventbrite.com

THANKS TO ALL OUR DONORS!

Silent Auction

“Tesori” - Sterling Silver Dragonfly Ring, Murano Elephant Earrings & Sterling Silver Butterfly Necklace

“Mel & Donna” – Homemade Wood Platter

“Carol Plumb” – 10 x 20 Oil Painting, Beach Scene, Blue Sky

“The Light House Lighting Center” – 52′ Ceiling Fan, Brushed Nickel. 3-Blade

“Mary Gorball” – Slow Cooker, Bathroom Set & Set of 7 Boiks by Mary Gorball

“Unique Jewelry Arts & Crafts” – Office Décor

“Bridgeview Flowers & Gifts” - Orchid Silk Ceramic Lavender Arrangement

“T. Leeman Co.” - Framed Print Lighthouse as it was, Original Painting

“Sea & Sun Hair Fashion” - Shampoo & Hair Cut Gift Certificate

“Beth’s Beauty Salon” - Shampoo Treatment, Blow-Dry & Style Gift Certificate

“Vida’s Barber Shop & Beauty Salon” - Haircut Gift Certificate

“Honeycomb Salon & Spa” – Women’s Haircut w/Tania Cruz

“Sea Ranch Restaurant & Bar” - $50 Gift Certificate

“Osprey Fishing Charter & Black Dragon Cruise” - Bay Fishing “Buccaneer” Certificate for 2 Adults, “Pirate Adventure Cruise” Certificate for 2 Adults & Dolphin Watch “Sea-Life Safari” Certificate for 2 Adults

“Biocapelli by Peninsula Island Resort & Spa” - Star of the Sea Spa Package Gift Certificate

“Anita Ramirez” - Haircut w/Anita Gift Certificate

“American Diving & the Original Dolphin Watch” - 2 Adults Dolphin Watch Show Special Gift Certificate

“Veronica’s Beauty & Barber Salon” - (2) – $30 Gift Certificate

“Tropical Smoothie Café” - $25 Gift Card

“Anna’s Hair Salon” - $30 Gift Certificate

“Pearl South Padre” - Two (2) Night Stay in a Deluxe Room

“Russo’s New York Pizzeria” - $25 Gift Card

“Real Time Fitness & Juice Bar” - Four (4) 1 Month Free Membership Gift Certificates

“Anonymous” – Teal Bead w/Gold Charms Bracelet

“Anonymous” – White Shell Earrings & Necklace Set

“Anglers Marine Center” - Okuma Steelez Premium Fishing Pole w/Bucket

“PI Nails” – $50 Gift Certificate for Manicure & Pedicure

“Dirty Al’s Family of Restaurants” – $50 Gift Certificate

“Thomas’ Gift Shop” - Ceramic Dolphin

“Mexiquito Restaurant” - $20 Gift Certificate

“Tropical Home Furnishing” - Glass Fish Wind Décor

“Pulsed Wellness Center” - Gold Package Gift Voucher which includes Hydrotable for entire body circulation … Led-Facial, Pulsed Pad Blanket & Lymphatic System Drainage

“Anonymous” - Lantern Décor

“Anonymous” – Green Cast Iron Door Knocker

“Anonymous” - Glass Lamp

“Anonymous” - Cast Iron Bird Arch

“Duane Rasmussen” - Ceramic Frog Water Planter

“Beach Park @ Isla Blanca” - Shrimp Haus Restaurant $25 Gift Certificate & 2-All Day Admission Pass

“Island Cinema” - 10- $5 Gift Certificates

“Coral Reef Lounge” - Coral Reef Cap & T-Shirt

“Welcome Aboard” - Port Isabel, Texas T-Shirt & SPI Beach Bag

“O’Reiley Auto Parts” - Power Torque – 40 Total Pieces Tools

“La Frida Nail Salon” - $25 Gift Certificate

“The Inn @ South Padre Inn Hotel” - Two (2) Night Stay in a Standard Room (4 guests) Gift Certificate

 

Sponsors

Texas International Fishing Tournament

Restaurants

Russo’s New York Pizzeria

Tropical Smoothie Café

Pirate’s Landing Restaurant

Whitesands Restaurant

The Museums of Port Isabel is a complex consisting of three diverse facilities, the Port Isabel Historic Museum, the Treasures of the Gulf Museum, and the Point Isabel Lighthouse. All three are within walking distance of each other and are open year around to the public.

PORT ISABEL LIGHTHOUSE

Constructed in 1852, the Point Isabel Lighthouse was built to protect and guide ships through Brazos Santiago Pass and the barrier islands. In 1952, the Lighthouse was opened as a State Park and remains the only lighthouse on the Texas Gulf coast open to the public. The Lighthouse Keeper’s Cottage which is on the grounds of the Lighthouse, is open to the public and houses the Chamber of Commerce and the Port Isabel Visitors Center. There is no admission charge to the Keepers Cottage. Lighthouse tickets can be purchased at the Keepers Cottage or at the Lighthouse. A combination ticket is available. Last ticket sold at 4:30 p.m. or 1/2 hour before closing.

PORT ISABEL HISTORICAL MUSEUM

Port Isabel Historical Museum is a state-of-the-art facility located in the Champion Building. Built in 1899 as a dry goods store and residence, it now houses two exhibit levels, a theater, gift shop and one of the largest collections of Mexican artifacts from the U.S.-Mexican War. The facade features the famous ‘fish mural’ painted in 1906 by a local fisherman. The fish mural was restored in the fall of 2017. Last ticket sold at 3:30 p.m. 317 E. Railroad Ave., Port Isabel. 956/943-7602.

TREASURES OF THE GULF MUSEUM

Treasures of the Gulf Museum spotlights three 1554 Spanish shipwrecks. Meeting their fate just 30 miles north of Port Isabel, they are brought to life with murals, artifacts and hands-on activities. Also featured is a Children’s Discovery Lab, Ship Theatre and Nautical Gift Shop. Last ticket sold at 3:30 p.m. 317 E. Railroad Ave., Port Isabel. 956/943-7602.

The Museums of Port Isabel and the Laguna Madre Museum Foundation are proud to present its “Telling Our Stories” Series of 2020 on Thursday, January 23rd, at the Port Isabel Event & Cultural Center, 309 East Railroad Ave. @ 7pm. This month’s topic will be on “Shrimp Tales: Port Isabel and Brownsville Shrimping History” a presentation by Mr. Rudy Garcia & Mrs. Pat McGrath Avery.

Mr. Garcia & Mrs. Avery came to this book from different backgrounds and have spent much of the last two (2) years interviewing, researching and writing the first-person stories of shrimpers who lived the life.

Mr. Garcia, born and raised in the Laguna Madre community, spent much of his childhood exploring the shrimp docks, venturing in and out of shrimp houses, boarding boats and conversing with the crews. When he was old enough to work on board a shrimp boat, his father sent him to sea with his Uncle Joe and his cousin Eddie. Mr. Garcia & his wife, Rita Nina reside in Laguna Vista, Texas.

Mrs. Avery and her husband drove her parents down from Kansas to spend winter in the mid-1970s. Returning to her home in land-locked Missouri, she never forgot the shrimp boats and her first taste of Gulf shrimp. By the time she moved here, most of the shrimp boats were gone, but those remaining still captured her interest. Mrs. Avery & her husband Everett live in Brownsville, Texas.

Rudy and Pat teamed up to write the history and share the stories of those who lived it. Mr. Garcia knew many of the shrimping families and the industry. Mrs. Avery had written several historical books featuring first-person accounts. Two (2) years ago they began interviewing shrimpers and are proud to bring their stories to life in Shrimp Tales: Port Isabel and Brownsville Shrimping History. The book highlights the years when an entire area – men, women and children – worked together as a community.

Please join us for an entertaining evening with Mr. Garcia & Mrs. Avery on a presentation on “Shrimp Tales: Port Isabel and Brownsville Shrimping History”. All locals and visitors are welcomed to attend this free presentation. Complimentary drinks and hors d’oeuvres will be provided.

‘Telling Our Stories” is an educational program aimed to preserving the heritage of the City of Port Isabel and the Laguna Madre area. Our goals are to preserve and educate our local and natural history through presentations and exhibits. The program is co-sponsored by the Museums of Port Isabel and the Laguna Museum Foundation. “Telling Our Stories” is presented on the fourth (4Th) Thursday of each month from January through September at the Treasures of the Gulf Museum. Admission is FREE.

Sponsored By:
Pirate’s Landing Restaurant, Garcia’s Family & Mr. & Mrs. Avery

For more information on Telling Our Stories or to help sponsor an event, contact Jeannie Marie A. Flores at (956) 943-7602 or visit www.portisabelmuseums.com or you may also send an email to museumdirector@copitx.com.

The Treasures of the Gulf Museum, Port Isabel Historical Museum, Port Isabel Lighthouse and the Visitors Center in the Keeper’s Cottage announce their holiday schedule.

LIGHTHOUSE & MUSEUMS:
Thanksgiving Day – CLOSED. Open Friday & Saturday.
VISITORS CENTER in the KEEPERS COTTAGE
Thanksgiving Day – CLOSED. Open Friday from 9 am to 5 pm and Saturday from 9 am to 3 pm.

MUSEUMS ANNUAL CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE
Saturday December 14th
10am-4pm
Free Admission
25% Off ALL Merchandise & 50% Off Selected Merchandise in the Gift Shop.

LIGHTHOUSE & MUSEUMS:
Christmas Day – CLOSED
VISITORS CENTER in the KEEPERS COTTAGE
Christmas Eve & Christmas Day - CLOSED

Museums of PI & PI Lighthouse
New Year’s Day - CLOSED
VISITORS CENTER in the KEEPERS COTTAGE
New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day - CLOSED

The historic Port Isabel Lighthouse is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., weather permitting. For more information, call the Visitors Center at 956-943-2262.

 

 

Day of the Dead & Halloween Celebration at the Port Isabel Museums! Thursday, October 31st. Open house ~ Original Play by Gloria Bates & Cast ~ Reception with food & drink ~ Exhibits & More!

Museum of Port Isabel • 309 E. Railroad Ave. • Port Isabel • 956/943-7602
Exhibit / Altar Exhibit application: dod-altar-registration

“Our Historic Lighthouse”

The Museums of Port Isabel and the Laguna Madre Museum Foundation are proud to present its “Telling Our Stories” Series of 2019 on Thursday, September 26th, at the Treasures of the Gulf Museum, 308 Queen Isabella Blvd. @ 7pm. This month’s topic will be on “Our Historic Lighthouse” a presentation by Valerie Bates.

Valerie Bates is the Marketing Director of Port Isabel with an interest in local history. This presentation is part of the celebration of the transfer of the Lighthouse from the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department to the Texas Historical Commission. Exciting new research will be presented.

Please join us for an entertaining evening with Valerie Bates with a presentation on “Our Historic Lighthouse”. All locals and visitors are welcomed to attend this free presentation. Complimentary drinks and hors d’oeuvres will be provided.

‘Telling Our Stories” is an educational program aimed to preserving the heritage of the City of Port Isabel and the Laguna Madre area. Our goals are to preserve and educate our local and natural history through presentations and exhibits. The program is co-sponsored by the Museums of Port Isabel and the Laguna Museum Foundation. “Telling Our Stories” is presented on the fourth (4Th) Thursday of each month from January through September at the Treasures of the Gulf Museum. Admission is FREE.

Sponsored By: Laguna Madre Museum Foundation

For more information on Telling Our Stories or to help sponsor an event, contact Jeannie Marie A. Flores at (956) 943-7602 / (956) 943-0755 or visit www.portisabelmuseums.com or you may also send an email to jrivera@copitx.com.