SAN ANGELO, Texas — The mission and vision of the San Angelo Hispanic Heritage Museum and Cultural Center is to make sure that the community at large gets a better understanding of the contributions and the history of the Hispanic community in the Concho Valley. According to Downtown San Angelo Inc, most of the San Angelo community is Mexican. Puerto Ricans, Cubans, Venezuelans, and many others are also represented in the population base.
The center is pushing through the beginning stages of creating the facility. The center is expecting to provide exhibits to showcase the Hispanic history throughout the area. In addition, there will be local art, cultural food, and music.
The museum and heritage center board members look forward to what the center will mean for the community and where it is headed. Rita Carranco is a San Angelo community member. She said it would be great to have this center house the history and culture of the Hispanic people who live in San Angelo.
Carranco said having the Hispanic San Angelo community history housed in one place will provide a unique experience for all community members.
"I'm very excited. You know, this country has so much to offer, and there is such a variety. There are so many stories to tell. So, I'm very excited because there have been so many people along the way who have done so much, and we're not aware of their contributions. We're not aware of how things have changed over time, and I think that in having that input in place down the road, it will be such an influence for us all," Carranco said.
Del Velasquez is the president of the new San Angelo Hispanic Heritage committee. He said the Hispanic community thinks it is time to have a museum and cultural center that will help better understand the community in this area.
"It's important that the Hispanic community is engaged in our community. It's an important part of our community, and we think that having a place where the past, present, and future can be highlighted is very important," Velasquez said.
The center's board expects to have 15 members and four ex-officials who will also be a part of the advisory committee.
