Heritage and cultural tourism are important economic drivers for Texas. Unlike other parts of the state, South Texas has not yet developed a regional effort to help facilitate the development of heritage and cultural programming or preservation efforts. Individuals and organizations from non profits, local and state agencies have done important work an individual basis within a limited geographic areas. It is for this reason that the South Texas
Summit on Public History, Culture, Heritage, Archives and Museums was conceived.
The day long Summit took place at the South Texas College (STC) McAllen campus on August 8, 2024 and and hosted over 40 attendees from area museums and state agencies.
The Summit was organized by Trinidad Gonzales, History and Mexican American Studies Instructor of STC and The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley- University Library Special Collections and Archives. The presenters included Cristina Saltos, Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA), Marco Buentello, Director of Grants at Humanities Texas, Bradford Patterson, First deputy Executive Director for Preservation Programs, Christopher Eck, 13th Executive Director of the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) and James Grossman, Executive Director of the American Historical Association.
At the conclusion of the event, attendees were invited to gather at the McAllen Heritage Center – museum of history and culture located in downtown McAllen to enjoy an evening reception together.
The work to continue to develop a more defined plan towards Heritage and cultural tourism in South Texas will continue. For more information about these preservation efforts, please contact Trinidad Gonzalez at South Texas College in McAllen to: tgonzale@southtexascollege.edu.
Pictured left to right: Aubrey Nielsen- Brownsville Historical Association, Cecily Hill- National Humanities Alliance, Pamela Morales – Museum of South Texas History, Alex Oyoque- City of Alamo museum, Elva M. Cerda- McAllen Heritage Center, Ann Fortescue- International Museum of Art and Science, Irma Murray- McAllen Heritage Center, Cristina Saltos- Texas Commission on the Arts.
Back Row: James Grossman, American Historical Association, Kelly Francis-Love- McAllen Heritage Center, Gabriel Ozuna- Hidalgo County Historical Commission, Trinidad Gonzales- South Texas College, Vernon Weckbacher- Mission Historical Museum and Felipe Hinojosa- Baylor University.
