NON-PROFIT SPOT LIGHT
McAllen Heritage Center - Museum of History & Culture By Elva M. Cerda, Managing Director and Founder Founded 2006
The McAllen Centennial festivities in 2004 included a festival held at Archer Park and a Dinner Gala honoring founding families in celebration of McAllen’s 100 years of history. Due to the success of these events, Centennial committee members set a principal goal to establish a history museum for the community. Thus, the McAllen Heritage Center – Museum of History & Culture (MHC) was formed in early 2006 as a not-for-profit corporation with a founding board comprised of a core of Centennial committee members. MISSION: To provide a place to exhibit and assist in the preservation of works of art, documents, papers, pictures, records and writings of historical, traditional or cultural value. The MHC wants to perpetuate those customs of the people and traditions and folklore which beautify and enrich the community life of historic McAllen, Texas. MHC will cooperate with other persons, groups, organizations and agencies in effecting these objectives and in educating the public, especially our youth, with the knowledge of the inherited regional values.
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SOCIALIFE
During 2006 to 2008, the founding board completed the work necessary for the establishment of the museum. The board then engaged in a successful campaign in our community to raise seed money needed to fund initial operations. MHC opened in June 2008 at the beautiful and historic “La Placita” building and former McAllen Post Office in downtown McAllen. The future of MHC is filled with many new possibilities and opportunities which will result in continued service for our community in honor of our city history and historic preservation! We continue to diligently process donations to our collection and add oral histories to our archives. We will continue to host art exhibits by local artists in the “Artist’s Corner” at MHC and offer various programs to our community when the health crisis is over. Please contact us at (956) 687-1904 or via email: info@mcallenheritagecenter.com for more information. www.mcallenheritagecenter.com and check us out on facebook.
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