Irving Archives & Museum

The Irving Archives and Museum (IAM) in Irving, TX is a community-based museum. The mission of IAM is to engage visitors through thought-provoking programs and dynamic exhibits that explore the history and evolving culture of our community and our region. In addition to the permanent exhibit, The Irving Story, and a temporary gallery that hosts nationally travelling exhibits, the museum is home to Texas's first Smithsonian Spark!Lab and two historic sites - the Ruth Paine House Museum and the Jackie Townsell Bear Creek Visitor Center.

Friends of the Irving Museums

The Friends of the Irving Museums is a 501(c)(3) organization established to support the ongoing mission of all City of Irving museums.
The Friends support the City of Irving museums, including: Irving Archives & Museum, Jackie Townsell Bear Creek Heritage Center, Ruth Paine House Museum, and the Mustangs of Las Colinas Museum.

News & Announcements

GET YOUR ICONIC IRVING T-SHIRT—SUPPORT THE BIG STATE SIGN PROJECT!

We’re excited to launch our Iconic Irving T-Shirt Fundraiser! For a donation of $35 or more, you’ll receive your very own Iconic Irving T-Shirt—a wearable piece of hometown pride.

Every dollar raised goes directly toward giving the beloved Big State sign a permanent home in Heritage Park. This project preserves not just a sign, but a vital piece of Irving’s history and community identity.

It’s easy to take part:

Donate online right here on our website and we’ll set aside your shirt. Please note the shirt size in the comments.
Or stop by the Irving Archives and Museum Store to make your donation in person and take your t-shirt home the same day.

Preserve the sign. Preserve Irving history. Donate today and wear your support proudly!

RENEW YOUR FRIENDS OF THE IRVING MUSEUMS MEMBERSHIP TODAY!

It’s that time of year—Friends of the Irving Museums membership renewals are here! By renewing your membership, you’re not just keeping your status as a valued Friend, with free admission year round and a discount in the museum store—you’re actively supporting our mission to preserve and celebrate Irving’s history, like when we came together to save the Big State sign!

Your renewal directly impacts our ability to secure grants, helping us grow and sustain programs that enrich our community. With your support, the Friends can continue sponsoring field trips for students, free Second Saturdays at the museum, and other vital initiatives that keep history and culture alive in Irving, TX.

We are so grateful for your continued commitment. If you feel inspired to do more, consider making a one-time donation—every contribution fuels Irving’s arts and culture scene and ensures these experiences remain accessible for all.

Renew today and keep the momentum going! Together, we are making history!

Free Second Saturdays in 2025 at IAM!

Friends of the Irving Museums is sponsoring FREE Second Saturdays at IAM in 2025! Free admission and free activities for everyone!

Free SUNdays! EVERY sUNDAY IS FREE AT IAM!

JOIN THE FRIENDS OF THE IRVING MUSEUMS TODAY!

LET'S MAKE HISTORY TOGETHER!

The Irving museums and historic sites depend on the support of the community through annual memberships and donations.

Become a member of the Friends of the Irving Museums and know that you are playing a crucial role in supporting our mission!

Your membership provides educational programming and tours to school-aged children; creates meaningful exhibitions which educate and entertain; immerses families in creativity and learning; and offers the community a safe space to hear many different voices and perspectives.

View Membership Levels

JOIN OR RENEW TODAY!

JOIN or RENEW with a one-time payment?

Click the One-Time Payment button below.

This option is available for all membership levels.

One-Time Payment

JOIN or RENEW with 12-monthly payments?

Click the Monthly Payments button below.

This option is available at Supporting, Sustaining and Benefactor levels only.

Monthly Payments

SUPPORT IRVING MUSEUMS AND HISTORIC SITES THROUGH A DONATION

The Friends provides essential support that funds exhibitions, public programs, educational opportunities for students, and care of our historical collections. Your contribution is 100% tax deductible and will help us continue to bring quality programming and learning experiences to our community.

THANK YOU!

Make a Donation

Events, Happenings & Social Media

There's always something new to discover at the Irving museums and historic sites!

Follow the Friends on social media to stay up to date on the latest happenings and programs.

Check back often for the latest information!

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10am Hours of Operation

12pm FREE Sundays

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2pm Say It Loud! – A Chorus of Queer History

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12pm FREE Sundays

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10am Standing Together

10am Through Darkness to Light

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1pm Opening Reception for Jeanine Michna-Bales

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12pm FREE Sundays

12pm Standing Together

12pm Through Darkness to Light

12pm Hours of Operation

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10am Through Darkness to Light

10am Hours of Operation

10am Through Darkness to Light

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10am Through Darkness to Light

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10am Through Darkness to Light

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1pm Artist Talk w/Jeanine Michna-Bales

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12pm FREE Sundays

12pm Standing Together

12pm Through Darkness to Light: Photographs Along the Underground Railroad by Jeanine Michna-Bales

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10am Through Darkness to Light

10am Hours of Operation

10am Through Darkness to Light

10am Hours of Operation

10am Through Darkness to Light

10am Hours of Operation

10am Through Darkness to Light

10am Hours of Operation

12pm FREE Sundays

12pm Standing Together

12pm Through Darkness to Light: Photographs Along the Underground Railroad by Jeanine Michna-Bales

12pm Hours of Operation

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About

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History

Formed in 2003, the Friends of the Irving Museums was created to support and advocate for a central historic museum for Irving. The original charter membership group served along with community groups such as the Irving Heritage Society and the Irving Heritage Festival to raise funds to support the building of the new museum. The Friends membership has worked diligently over many years to bring to life the Irving Archives & Museum which opened in 2020. And the work continues, the Friends now focuses on raising funds to support exhibitions, programs, and educational initiatives.

Organizational Information

A 501 (c)(3) non-profit, the Friends of the Irving Museums is a membership-based organization, with oversight from a member-elected board of directors. The Friends Board is comprised of 13 members that serve two-year appointments with the option of renewal. The Friends Board also oversees several committees: Fundraising and Special Events, Membership, Nominating, and Marketing.

The membership meets at least once annually, and the Friends Board meets monthly on the last Thursday of the month.

The current Friends Board:

• Jimmy Bellew, President

• Charles Hickox, Vice President

• Lilly Allison, Secretary

• Luke Simmons, Treasurer

• Judy Pierson

• Jearlene Miller

• Annette French

• Abha Biyani

• Brad Woods

• Mary Moorman

• Cordelia Tullous

• Mark Zeske

• Xelaya Mendoza

Staff Liaisons: Mary Higbie, Allyss Flores, and Jennifer Landry

Interested in serving on the Friends Board or volunteering? Click below!

Photo Galleries

Photo Gallery

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Heritage With Friends Night, September 2025

The Friends of the Irving Museums and the Irving Heritage Society held a special, joint meeting Thursday, September 28, 2025. During the meeting, the groups enjoyed a presentation by City of Irving Senior Planner Abraham Zorilla on improving Irving's Heritage District. During the meeting, attendees also received an update on plans for the Big State Sign!

Irving Archives & Museum, Grand Opening Events, November 2021

Grand Opening Events were held over two days for the Irving Archives and Museum. A Grand Opening Gala, Rum Runners and Rug Cutters was held November 12, 2021 and a ribbon-cutting ceremony and ice cream social was held November 13, 2021.

A General Meeting of the Friends, January 2018

A General Meeting of the Friends was in January 2018 held to relaunch the Friends of the Irving Museums and begin planning of the new Irving Archives and Museum.