Come celebrate Memorial Day at the Institute of Texan Cultures and discover the historic role of Texans in the American military! Travel back in time and visit the Frontier Fort, engage in marching drills, observe historic firearm demonstrations, explore tactical vehicles, and interact with Texas soldiers from the American Revolution, Texas Revolution, American Civil War, Spanish American War, World War I, World War II, Vietnam, Desert Storm, and Afghanistan. This event is an overview of the role of Texans in major American conflicts throughout time. The Institute of Texan Cultures will be partnering with the Lone Star Heritage Association and retired military personnel to bring you an exciting event! For additional information, call (210) 458-2300 or visit TexanCultures.com

The Texas Folklife Festival is the biggest cultural celebration in Texas. Annually, more than 250 participants and groups, representing over 40 ethnic communities, come together to celebrate their heritage.  Located on the grounds of the Institute of Texan Cultures on the UTSA HemisFair Park Campus, the annual three-day event showcases the Lone Star State's diversity and rich heritage through a wide variety of ethnic food, music, dance, arts and crafts. The 2013 festival dates and times are: ·         Friday, June 7: 5-11 p.m. ·         Saturday, June 8: 11 a.m.-11p.m. ·         Sunday, June 9: noon-7 p.m.

Cowboy boots and computers. Salsa and Texas-shaped tortilla chips. Jalapeño jelly and prickly pear wine. Ancient stone tools and artificial hearts. What do these all have in common? Texas! “Made in Texas” explores a diverse array of Texan-made objects which add to the fabric of life not only in our state, but across the globe. Explore objects, concepts, ideas and expressions of culture which originate in, are made in, or have strong ties to Texas: foodways, arts and crafts, agriculture and manufacturing, music, ways of making a living, furniture, clothing, inventions and architecture. Discover the impact Texas has had on the world and how Texas culture has influenced others.

Based on information gathered from the life stories of real Texans, “Why We Came” takes participants through the challenges, aspirations, and legal hurdles of immigration and explores the emotional and cultural processes behind leaving home for a new land.

The Institute of Texan Cultures welcomes “Why We Came: The Immigration Experience.” The exhibit is a fun way to immerse yourself in the modern-day experience of immigrating. Step onto a life-sized game board and make the journey alongside actual immigrants. Learn the process and understand the motivations, emotions, challenges, and experiences faced by those who create a new life in a new land. See if you can pass a citizenship test and then share a story of your own family’s saga of becoming Texan.

In honor of its 100th anniversary the Girls Scouts will host an exhibit at the Institute of Texan Cultures. This exhibit will reflect the unique perspective of this organization, as well as its values and traditions. Visitors can look at artifacts and memorabilia from past decades. On Feb. 23 a family day called "Community, Culture, Cookies" will provide visitors with insight about the cookie program and how it provides young girls with entrepreneural skills.

In partnership with Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas, "Girl Power!" is an exhibit that heralds the next century of Girl Scouting. The exhibit will offer visitors a unique perspective on the iconic organization. Through personal stories, artifacts and memorabilia, the exhibit will highlight the values and traditions of Girl Scouts that are as relevant today as when the movement was founded in 1912. What began with 18 girls on March 12, 1912 in Savannah, Georgia, set into motion the nation’s premier leadership program for girls. A century ago, Juliette Gordon Low believed that all girls should be given the opportunity to develop physically, mentally, and spiritually. These values have empowered more than 59 million American women to advance and achieve, taking their places as leaders in community, business, and government.

Whether they originated in the 1960s (as some claim) or 1971 (when King Antonio XLIX, Charles Orsinger reportedly punched holes in 200 coins, strung them with ribbon, and passed them out at events), medals have become as integral to Fiesta as beads are to Mardi Gras. Kickstarting the Fiesta spirit before the citywide extravaganza engulfs SA in mid-April, the Institute of Texan Cultures presents “Fiesta Medal Mania,” an exhibit curatorial researcher Diana Luis hopes will be “the largest collection of Fiesta medals San Antonio has ever seen.” On view concurrently, “Fiesta Medals: The Next Generation” tasked Edgewood Fine Arts Academy students with predicting what the keepsakes might look like 10 years, 20 years, and further into the future.