The Treasures of the Gulf Museum is open! Due to construction, please use the entrance on Highway 100.

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.

• Summer Hours: Sunday – Thursday 9a – 5p. Friday & Saturday 11a – 8p
• Winter Hours: Daily 9a – 5p

Keepers Cottage Hours (year around): Monday – Friday 9a – 5p. Saturday 10a – 4p. 421 E. Queen Isabella Blvd., Port Isabel. 956/943-2262.

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. Last ticket sold at 3:30 p.m.

• Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10a – 4p. 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.

• Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10a to 4p. 317 E. Railroad Ave., Port Isabel. 956/943-7602

“The Queen Isabella Causeway Collapse of 9/15/2001”

The Museums of Port Isabel and the Laguna Madre Museum Foundation are proud to present it’s 2011 series of “Telling Our Stories” with The Causeway Collapse featuring the City of Port Isabel Marketing Director Valerie Bates as the guest speaker on February 24, 2011 with a seating beginning at 4:00 pm and a special encore seating at 6:30pm in the Treasures of the Gulf Museum located at 317 E. Railroad Ave. Port Isabel TX, 78578. RSVP’s will be accepted in advance.

As the City of Port Isabel Marketing Director and avid photographer, Valerie Bates has an up close perspective view of the tragedy that shocked the Rio Grande Valley. Her images captured a story that gripped the valley four days after the September 11, 2001 World Trade Center Disaster.

The Incident on September 15, 2001 has never been forgotten by Valley residents and an annual memorial service is held on the Port Isabel side at the base of the Queen Isabella Memorial Bridge in honor of those who lost their lives that fateful night.

Port Isabel and South Padre Island have always shared a special connection long before the causeway was constructed. People including Native Americans would cross the Laguna Madre on foot during low tide or on horse back long before the first Europeans came to American and well into the 1930’s.

Please join us as we tell the story of the Causeway Collapse. All locals and visitors are welcome to attend this free presentation. Complimentary drinks and hors d’oeuvres will be available.

“Telling Our Stories” is a free presentation open to the public that is held by the Museums of Port Isabel. These presentations are set on the final Thursday of the month from January through September at 6:30 pm. Our thanks go out to the Port Isabel Chamber of Commerce, the Port Isabel Merchants Committee, the Laguna Madre Museum Foundation and the City of Port Isabel for their continued support.

This event is sponsored by: Art Sea Gallery and Goods, and Welcome Aboard.

The Museums of Port Isabel and the Laguna Madre Museum Foundations goals are to help preserve and educate our local natural history through presentations and exhibits.

For more information on telling our stories or to help sponsor an event, contact Gabriel Godines at 956-943-7602 or visit www.portisabelmuseums.com you can also send an email to ggodines@copitx.com