180TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE RIO GRANDE

180TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE RIO GRANDE

The Webb County Heritage Foundation began 2020 with big plans for a stellar year of events celebrating three significant anniversaries for us. The year 2020 was to mark the 180th anniversary of the Republic of the Rio Grande, the 265th anniversary of the founding of Laredo, and the 40th anniversary of the Webb County Heritage Foundation. We were able to host the first of these events in January, and after that, the global pandemic brought on by the Coronavirus brought all normal life to a stop. A special feature of the Webb County Heritage Foundation’s January 11 cocktail reception celebrating the 180th Anniversary of the Republic of the Río Grande was the unveiling of plans for a new museum exhibit showcasing the Republic of the Río Grande. The event took place at the Republic of the Río Grande Museum on the grounds of La Posada Hotel. According to Margarita Araiza, Executive Director of the WCHF, EXP Studios of Massachusetts was selected to design the new exhibit for the museum. “We were thrilled that a design team with a client list that includes the American Heritage Museum, Plimoth Plantation, the Denver Art Museum, the Bob Bullock Museum, the National Constitution Center, the Western Heritage Museum, and the National Archives and Records Administration, among others, would be interested in helping tell the story of the Republic of the Rio Grande in Laredo, Texas,” said Araiza. EXP Studios has international expertise in the fields of education, visitor experience development, museum planning and design, and museum exhibit design and installation. The new exhibit will tell the story of Laredo’s unique chapter in history, the Republic of the Rio Grande, which lasted 10 months in the mid nineteenth century. Frustrated with boundary problems and Mexico’s centralist regime, citizens banded together to form their own sovereign state which was composed of Coahuila y Tejas, Tamaulipas and Nuevo Leon – hence the three stars on the flag. On January 7, 1840, the Republic of the Río Grande was proclaimed by constitutional convention and Laredo was named as its capital. A small structure across the square from San Agustín Church became its headquarters. That structure now houses the Republic of the Río Grande Museum. The Jan. 11 reception recognized past presidents of the Republic of the Río Grande – an honor bestowed annually by the WCHF on individuals exemplifying commitment to historic preservation, heritage education, or preservation of historic architecture. “We are looking forward to more attention given to our city’s rich historic narrative and we appreciate the collaboration of La Posada Hotel and the City of Laredo with this 180th commemoration of the Republic of the Río Grande. No other community in Texas can boast being the capital of its own country!” said Araiza, adding, “We welcome everyone to join our events throughout the year and learn more about our community’s contributions to world history.” For sponsorship information, contact Araiza at the WCHF at (956) 727-0977.