“Through a Different Lens: One Woman’s Experience in Vietnam, 1967-1968” at the Branigan Cultural Center

Join us October 23, 2020 through February 6, 2021 for Through a Different Lens: One Woman’s Experience in Vietnam, 1967-1968, an exhibit that examines the life of Las Cruces resident Frances Williams during her six-month stay in Vietnam as a U.S. Army civilian logistical expert.

Drawing from Williams’ diaries, photographic slides, and other collected memorabilia, the exhibit details her time at the Long Binh Army Post working at the 14^th Inventory Control Center between November 1967 and May 1968. During this time, Williams volunteered at the 24^th Evacuation Hospital, experienced the Tet Offensive that was led by North Vietnamese insurgents, and made note of the Vietnamese people and land that she encountered. These personal experiences and recollections provide a dramatic window into a period of time during the Vietnam War where the perception of the war and the involvement of the United States military started to be seriously questioned.

The exhibition also explores Williams’ contributions to local, regional, and national communities through projects such the development of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at the Las Cruces Veterans Memorial Park and the formation of Temple Beth El.

Please note that due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Las Cruces Museums have instituted new procedures to visit our facilities to ensure the health and safety of our staff and guests. Please call 575/522-3120 or 575/528-3330, email education@las-cruces.org, or visit museums.las-cruces.org to find out about current restrictions.

Guests with COVID-19 symptoms or who are sick will not be permitted to enter. Guests are required to follow health guidelines by wearing a mask over their nose and mouth, maintaining a distance of at least six feet from others at all times, and refraining from touching museum objects.

The museum is located at 501 N. Main St. and is open Tuesday through Friday from 10am to 4:30pm and Saturday 9am to 4:30pm. The museum is accessible from RoadRUNNER Transit Route 1 Stop 36. For additional information, visit the website at  museums.las-cruces.org  or call (575)541-2154. The Las Cruces museums continue to offer exhibit information and virtual programming online through social media at Facebook.com/LCMuseums or Instagram.com/LCMuseums.