United States historic place
El Museo Latino
is a
museum
featuring
Latino
and
Hispanic
art
and
history
that is located at 4701 South 25th Street in
South Omaha, Nebraska
. Established in 1993, by Magdalena Garcia, it is the first Latino art and history museum and cultural center in the
Midwest
.
History
[
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]
El Museo Latino was established by Magdalena Garcia, a
Mexico City
native who had moved to Omaha at the age of nine. After working in industry for some years, Garcia had changed her focus to art and museums. In 1988, she obtained a degree in fine arts from the
University of Nebraska Omaha
; in 1992, a master's degree in museum management from
Syracuse University
. She returned to Omaha and, in 1993, opened El Museo Latino in the
Livestock Exchange Building
.
[1]
[2]
In 1997, the museum moved to the former Polish Home, at 4701 S. 25th Street.
[3]
The site had originally been occupied by the South Central School, built in 1887.
[4]
In 1916, the school was essentially rebuilt,
[5]
as a single-story U-shaped
Romanesque Revival-style
building.
[6]
In 1930, following the school's closing, the building was acquired by the
American Legion
. The Legion found themselves unable to keep up with the mortgage payments, and in 1936 sold the building to the Polish Home, a social organization serving the large Polish immigrant community in South Omaha. As the Polish Home, the building housed a library and served as a venue for Polish-language classes and for events such as dances, wedding receptions, and political rallies. The Polish Home owned the building until 1998, when it was sold to El Museo Latino.
[6]
[7]
About
[
edit
]
El Museo Latino features exhibits about
Latino
and
Hispanic
art
and
history
. Educational programs for
kindergarten
through
twelfth grade
, post-secondary, and adult audiences at the museum include lectures, slide presentations, films, art classes, workshops, demonstrations, art history classes, gallery talks, guided visits, and dance classes. Additionally, El Museo Latino is a resource center for
Latino studies
in the Midwest. Museum highlights have included an exhibit from the
Smithsonian Institution
organized by actor
Edward James Olmos
,
[8]
along with works by
Diego Rivera
and
Frida Kahlo
.
[9]
Photographer
David Bacon
[10]
and painter
Terry Rosenberg
[11]
have also been featured.
El Museo Latino organizes special events highlighting
Cinco de Mayo
, including an annual
almuerzo
, or brunch.
Hispanic Heritage Month
in September features a banquet. During the year, Family Day celebrations are also scheduled as well as special dance performances by the museum's dance company, "CHOMARI" Ballet Folklorico Mexicano, and by visiting artists.
[12]
The museum also coordinates an annual celebration for
El Dia de Muertos
, including a festival, special exhibits and cultural celebrations.
[13]
In 2015, the museum's building was listed in the
National Register of Historic Places
, under the name "Polish Home".
[7]
See also
[
edit
]
References
[
edit
]
- ^
Logan, Casey.
"Get to Know: El Museo Latino founder picked passion over profession".
Omaha World-Herald
.
2015-12-08. Retrieved 2015-12-08.
- ^
"El Museo Latino’s Garcia to receive UNO Alumni Citation"
University of Nebraska at Omaha Alumni Association. Retrieved 2007-08-31.
Archived 2007-09-29
.
- ^
"About Us".
El Museo Latino.
Retrieved 2015-12-08.
- ^
"Legion Hall Sale Gets Board's Aid".
The Omaha World-Herald Newspaper, Omaha, Douglas County, NE, USA
. 1937-03-16. p. 4.
- ^
"Crowded Quarters of Omaha Students Board's Problems".
The Omaha World-Herald Newspaper, Omaha, NE, USA
. 1916-08-15. p. 1.
- ^
a
b
"Omaha Landmarks Heritage Preservation Commission Minutes: August 12, 2015"
. Retrieved 2015-12-08.
- ^
a
b
Hendee, David.
"Streetcar barn, Polish Home ? now El Museo Latino ? join National Register of Historic Places".
Omaha World-Herald
.
2015-12-01. Retrieved 2015-12-08.
- ^
Rooney, P.
"Latin Omaha: El Museo Latino... 12 years old and just getting started,"
Archived
2007-09-27 at the
Wayback Machine
Omaha City Weekly.
Retrieved 2007-08-31.
- ^
"El Museo Latino: The Diego Rivera Exhibition and other Highlights"
Archived
2007-09-28 at the
Wayback Machine
, Nebraska Arts Council. Retrieved 2007-08-31.
- ^
"UNO, El Museo Latino to Host Photo Exhibition by David Bacon"
University of Nebraska. Retrieved 2016-05-28.
- ^
"Press release"
Archived
2007-09-29 at the
Wayback Machine
City of Omaha. Retrieved 2007-08-31.
- ^
"History"
Archived
2007-08-26 at the
Wayback Machine
El Museo Latino. Retrieved 8/31/07.
- ^
Harrison, J.
"Graceful Dead: Living Honor the Departed in Upcoming, Hybrid Holiday,"
Archived
2007-09-27 at the
Wayback Machine
Omaha City Weekly.
Retrieved 2007-08-31.
External links
[
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]