Summer has been an exciting time at the Bandera Natural History and Art Museum, and I want to take a moment to say thank you. Our first-ever Jurassic Jamboree was an incredible success, with nearly 500 people joining us for a day of dinosaurs, family fun, great food, and community celebration. Watching families laugh together, children explore the museum, and neighbors connect throughout the day proved how special this place truly is.
Events like this don't happen without a lot of help. I want to sincerely thank our generous sponsors for believing in our mission, the many volunteers who gave countless hours before and during the event, and the Bandera County Sheriff's Office for helping keep everyone safe. Most of all, thank you to every member of our community who attended, shared the event with friends, or simply continues to support the museum.
The excitement doesn't stop there as July is packed with special events. I'm happy to announce that our new wing, the Sully Woodland Art Educational Center, is now open for visitors. It is just a soft opening as we are still putting on a few finishing touches. We will announce both a ribbon cutting ceremony and a grand opening date soon, but you can come see the incredible works of art currently on display. This beautiful new space provides room for future temporary exhibits and will expand the educational opportunities we can offer our visitors for years to come.
I can't wait to welcome you all back to the museum.
Simon D'Urso
Director
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Jurassic Jamboree 2026
Upcoming Events
Friday, July 3rd: FREE meal with admission - Hot dog, chips, and a drink
Every Tuesday in July: Discovery Mini-Camps, 10am - Noon, ages 6 - 12
July 1 - 31: FREE admission for Bandera County kids
Featured Exhibits
Enthroned Madonna and Child
Carved from elephant tusk in Goa, India in the mid 1700s, this detailed ivory figurine is a beautifully preserved example of Christian art from South Asia. It depicts the Virgin Mary sitting on a magnificent throne and holding the Christ Child while angels look on in adoration. This piece is noted for its many intricate reliefs.
Goa was a major port city in the Portuguese Empire from as early as the 16th century. It soon developed into a cultural, religious, and commercial hub. Native craftsmen found work creating religious items and other souvenirs for Portuguese traders, who considered them valuable and exotic status symbols. While the name and identity of the artist has been lost to time, they discreetly revealed the origin of their work through Indian cultural symbols like peacocks, dragons, mermaids, and a tiger hunt carved on the Madonna's throne.
Location
New Spain Art Hall
Marco Polo Argali
The Marco Polo Argali are native to the rugged, high-elevation Pamir Mountains near the borders of Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.
Capturing the true posture of this animal requires a deep understanding of its biology. Look closely at its stance: the proud, high-headed tilt is typical of a mature ram surveying its high-altitude kingdom. This magnificent creature is placed against a backdrop mimicking its native, wind-swept alpine home, allowing visitors to step out of the museum and straight into the wild peaks of Central Asia.
These sheep are named after the 13th-century Venetian explorer Marco Polo, who became the first European to document them in his journals while traveling the Silk Road through the Pamir Mountains.
They are most famous for their massive, corkscrew horns, which boast the longest average span of any wild sheep species on Earth. Stop by the exhibition gallery this month to appreciate the immense scale of this high-altitude survivor up close!
Location
International Hall
Seven Immortals
One of our new exhibits in the Art Educational Center is a complete set of the Shichifukujin (SHEE-chee-foo-koo-jeen) —the Seven Lucky Gods, or Seven Immortals. This assembly of deities is one of the most enduring and beloved symbols of good fortune in Japanese culture, a blend of different traditions that sail together through time. In art, they are often depicted as miniatures, famously as netsuke (carved toggles), showcasing a high level of craftsmanship and storytelling.
What makes the Shichifukujin particularly fascinating is that they are not native to a single belief system. Only one is indigenous to Japan. The group represents a unique, syncretic blend of Japanese Shinto, Indian Hinduism/Buddhism, and Chinese Taoism/Buddhism, demonstrating how Japan incorporated and adapted foreign deities into its spiritual life.
Though many of the gods existed independently for centuries, the formalized group of seven coalesced in Japan during the late Muromachi period (around the 15th-16th century) and gained massive popularity in the Edo period (1603-1867). Tradition has it that on New Year's Eve, the gods sail into port on the Takarabune, or Treasure Ship, to distribute magical gifts of happiness, prosperity, and longevity to the deserving. It became a popular custom to sleep with a picture of their ship under one’s pillow on New Year's night, in hopes of having a lucky dream that would set the tone for the entire year.
Location
Art Educational Center
SUPPORT THE MUSEUM
Help Preserve our Shared History and Culture
Memberships, sponsorships, and donations directly support exhibits, educational programs, preservation, and community engagement.
Call us at (830) 328-5090 if you are interested in:
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Visiting the museum with a group of 10 or more
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Hosting a Birthday Party at the Museum
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Venue Rental - Rent out the International Hall, New Spain Art Hall, or our Outdoor spaces for your next big event
Also call us at (830) 328-5090 if interested in leaving a lasting impact in the community by joining our list of museum sponsors:
