Museum on Main Street
The Smithsonian is Coming
to Fort Davis
The Smithsonian is Coming
to Fort Davis
Spark! Places of Innovation, the Smithsonian’s national traveling exhibit on rural American ingenuity, opens at the Museum of the Big Bend in Alpine and at our satellite exhibit here at Hotel Limpia in Fort Davis on Friday, July 3, 2026 and runs through August 8, 2026. Museum admission is FREE for the entire six-week run!
This Museum on Main Street exhibition organized by the Smithsonian Institution is inspired by Places of Invention, an exhibition developed by the Smithsonian’s Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation.
What Is Spark!?
Spark! asks a deceptively simple question: How do small, isolated communities find ways to invent, adapt, survive and thrive? Presented by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service in partnership with the Texas Historical Commission, Spark! explores the creativity that quietly thrives far from cities.
The Museum of the Big Bend in Alpine is one of just six Texas communities selected to host the exhibit, with partnering communities in our region hosting satellite exhibits. These components tell the stories of desert mountain communities who built rich lives through sheer creative will. Our Fort Davis satellite exhibit will display throughout the exhibit run at Hotel Limpia on State Street, spotlighting McDonald Observatory's dark-sky science, the Buffalo Soldiers at Fort Davis National Historic Site, the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center, Davis Mountain State Park Indian Lodge and CCC history, as well as ranching community history showcased by The Overland Trail Museum. As a bonus, Fort Davis will also showcase two offsite exhibits at the Old Spanish Trail Gallery & Museum and at Limpia Creek Hats. Both locations have ties to the West of the Pecos Cattlewomen, with the Gallery showcasing fine art from local artists and the Hat Store showcasing new and traditional cowboy hats.
Located in the beautiful Davis Mountains, at an elevation of 4,982 feet, Fort Davis, Texas is the coolest town in the Lone Star State! Fort Davis is characterized by its small-town charm, breath-taking mountain scenery and is home to several well-known attractions.
The Fort Davis National Historic Site is one of the best remaining examples of a U.S. Army fort. Established in 1854 on the San Antonio–El Paso Road through west Texas, the fort was strategically placed to protect emigrants, mail coaches, and freight wagons, and played a key role in controlling activities during the Comanche and Mescalero war trails.
Fort Davis attractions also include the Davis Mountains State Park and Indian Lodge, the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center and Botanical Gardens, and more. Fort Davis is at the center of the Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve and is home to The McDonald Observatory.
Fort Davis is a cool 45 minute drive to the world’s largest spring-fed pool - Balmorhea State Park, 1 1/2 hours away from Texas’ best kept secret - Big Bend National Park, and is an easy drive to the neighboring towns of Marfa and Alpine.
Fort Davis is a town after our own heart. Welcome to Fort Davis, Texas!
Fort Davis Exhibit Schedule
10-6 daily at Hotel Limpia, 101 N. State Street, Fort Davis
July 3 - July 11: Fort Davis National Historic Site - a key post in the defense system of western Texas, Fort Davis played a major role in the history of the Southwest. From 1854 until 1891, troops stationed at the post protected emigrants, freighters, mail coaches, and travelers on the San Antonio-El Paso Road hoping to reach the gold fields of California. Today, Fort Davis is considered one of the best remaining examples of a frontier military post in the American Southwest. It is a vivid reminder of the significant role played by the military in the settlement and development of the western frontier. July 4 - ranger talk on Buffalo Soldiers at exhibit; July 5 - 1880’s baseball game at the Fort; July 8,9 - camels at the Fort. (Fort Davis National Historic Site Website)
July 4, 1-5 pm: at Old Spanish Trail Gallery and Museum, 401 N. Crow’s Nest Road, Fort Davis - Old Spanish Trail Gallery and Museum is a unique fine art destination hidden away in a stunningly beautiful setting, a heritage ranch in Far West Texas. Join in their 10 year anniversary reception and see for yourself how heritage innovation meets fine art. (Old Spanish Trail Gallery and Museum Website)
July 12 - July 18: Davis Mountains State Park - Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) builds Indian Lodge at Davis Mountain State Park. CCC was an innovative response to the economic hardships of the Great Depression. Starting in the summer of 1933, companies of young men, aged 18-23, were deployed across the country to build state and national parks, plant trees, construct dams and bridges, and help address major conservation issues. Their hard work brought innovation to Far West Texas. July 18 - adobe brick making demo at exhibit. (Davis Mountains State Park Website)
July 19 - July 25: Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute (CDRI) - CDRI has been making a difference in the Trans-Pecos Region of the Chihuahuan Desert since 1973 by educating people about the natural world. CDRI features more than five miles of scenic hiking trails and a botanical garden showcasing a diverse selection of plants native to the Trans-Pecos Region. The garden includes several distinct areas: the Pollinator Garden, the Trans-Pecos Trail, the Native Grasses Exhibit, and the Cactus Garden. Additionally, CDRI is home to one of the world’s largest collections of Chihuahuan Desert cacti. July 25 - in-person demonstration about planting cactus and propagating seeds. (CDRI Website)
July 18 and 25, 10-2 pm: at Limpia Creek Hats, 200 N. State Street, Fort Davis - Limpia Creek Hats has built a reputation for the highest quality, craftsmanship, and elegance in custom-made luxury and western hats. Limpia Creek Hats is operated by true Texas cowboys in Fort Davis, a true frontier town. Passion for the cowboy way of life and appreciation for our Texas heritage flows into each hat handcrafted by Limpia Creek Hats. (Limpia Creek Hats Website)
July 26 - August 1: McDonald Observatory - McDonald Observatory has been a place of discovery since its founding in 1939. Perched in the Davis Mountains, the location was chosen by astronomers for its clear, dark skies, arid desert climate, and high altitude. The Observatory’s history is one of pioneering telescopes and scientists exploring the far reaches of the cosmos. The site reflects the larger story of Fort Davis and the Big Bend region - where heritage, landscape, and innovation meet. August 2 - Observatory staff offer in person astronomy and dark skies demonstrations and activities. (McDonald Observatory Website)
August 2 - August 8: The Overland Trail Museum - Sparks in the Mountains: Innovation, Ranching, and Community in Jeff Davis County. Nestled among the Davis Mountains, Jeff Davis County has long been a place where innovation grew from necessity. From the earliest settlers who learned to harness scarce water resources to ranching families who built thriving operations in a challenging landscape, the people of this region have continually adapted to meet the demands of life in Far West Texas. August 8 - in person demonstration on windmills; evening barn dance at Kelly Pavilion (The Overland Trail Museum Website)
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