Bandera NHM turns five

The Bandera Natural History Museum celebrated its fifth anniversary last week, culminating in a giant party with dinosaurs and pinatas on Saturday, June 19.

Bandera Natural History Museum visionary, Juan Carlos lnfante, said the five-year point marks a lot of hard work, including the addition of the recently opened New Spain Art Hall, which includes paintings, polychromed sculptures, silver, antique Talavera, ivories and furniture from 1521 to the early 1800s.

Saturday’s celebration featured pinatas shaped like dinosaurs, lions, and giraffes, all to the joy of the children, and their parents.

Some of the piñatas were bigger than the children hitting them.

Dinosaur George, aka someone inside a dino costume, was also present to greet visitors during the celebration, which also included sidewalk painting, music and games.

Celebrations began last Wednesday with talks on animals from the Last Chance Forever Bird of Prey Conservancy, during which experts gave a talk on the benefits that bird give humans and the environment at large, such as helping rabies-infected animals and eating roaches.

Owls and other birds were also highlighted during that presentation.

On Friday, visitors were treatedto the Happy Tails Exotic Animal Petting Zoo.

For more than five years, a group of community supporters and leaders worked tirelessly to turn a dream into reality.

Built on eight acres, a 14,000-square-foot building was filled with exhibits for people to explore, experience, educate, and enjoy, according to museum information.

By early 2015, property had been acquired within the city of Bandera and construction began for 14,000 sq. ft. building.

In that same year, the board changed its name from Bandera Exotic Wildlife Museum to Bandera Natural History Museum to more accurately reflect the broader scope of our display and our education mission. The museum is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes and is a nonprofit business with 501(c)(3) status. The facility opened its doors June 18, 2016.

For more information call 830-328-5090 or go to www.banderanhm.org.