NON-PROFIT SPOTLIGHT:

The McAllen Heritage Center, Inc. – Museum of History & Culture (MHC) Celebrates 15 years in service to the community: 2008-2023

TheMcAllen Centennial festivities held in 2004 included a festival at Archer Park and a dinner gala celebrating McAllen’s 100 years of history. Due to the success of these events, Centennial committee members began discussions towards developing a place for the community to enjoy learning about McAllen’s past. McAllen Heritage Center, Inc. (MHC) was formed in early 2006 as a not-for-profit corporation for this purpose, with a founding board comprised of a core of Centennial committee members.

From 2006 to 2008, the founding board completed the work involved in the establishment of the museum, which included securing and caring for the base collection until such time as a museum location was determined. The board also engaged in a successful fundraising campaign in the community to raise seed money necessary to fund the initial operations of the museum.

MHC opened to the public in June 2008 and is located at the beautiful and historic former McAllen Post Office, built in 1935 in downtown McAllen at the corner of Main St. and Chicago. The building is a historic landmark designated by the Texas Historical Commission.

This year, MHC is celebrating an important 15-year anniversary milestone. MHC has accomplished much to be proud of, including but not limited to the expansion of historical exhibits, the development of rotating exhibitions in partnership with Humanities Texas, The Valley Land Fund, Museum of South Texas History, the RGV Veterans Photo Project, and the UTRGV

Chaps Program.   The museum store “La Tiendita” opened in 2012 and, since 2021, has also been online.  Proceeds from La Tiendita directly benefit the MHC mission. Inventory includes an array of historical books about McAllen and the region, books by local authors, and works by local artisans along with “Everything McAllen” such as tee shirts, caps, magnets, postcards, candles, and so much more.

The museum’s annual fundraiser, “Chuckwagon Dinner,” is a tremendous success, and the partnership with the Costillas Ltd group/Macaroni Grill is a great asset to the museum’s mission.

In 2020, a major renovation at the south end of the building resulted in new restroom facilities, a meeting room, an expanded exhibit area, and a laundry area. The entrances to the remodeled areas were enhanced by the gorgeous tile work murals commissioned by the museum to our local artist, Yolanda Cantu. MHC leadership and the City also completed beautification projects for the exterior of the facility, including the La Placita Park and “Greetings from McAllen” mural dedication and new outdoor spotlights. The beautiful mural and photo spot is a rendition of a circa 1930s postcard and was commissioned by MHC to local artist Lupe Hernandez.

www.mcallenheritagecenter.com

Open to the public free of charge, Wednesday through Friday, 1 PM to 5 PM and Saturday 11 AM to 4 PM.