MUSEUM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
2009 has been a very busy and fulfilling year for MHC.  Among numerous goals met in 2009, here are but a few highlights:

  • We continue to serve as a major exhibitor in the annual PalmFest Folklife International Celebration since 2006 which has proven an excellent venue for our exhibits, fund-raiser and to gain exposure for our Center. This family-friendly folklife festival is held the first weekend of October at the McAllen Convention Center.  For more PalmFest information, go to: palmfest.com

  • The Chuckwagon Dinner under the Stars which was previously held in conjunction with PalmFest will continue to be one of our major fundraising events.   This is a fun outdoor dinner which features an authentic cowboy steak dinner with all the fixins' along with cobbler and pan de campo!  Next event is tentatively scheduled in February 2010.  See website for upcoming details or call the museum for event tickets.

  • We held our formal ribbon cutting and grand opening celebration in March 2009.  An evening reception was held at MHC which featured horse and carriage rides, museum tours, regional food and entertainment.  The event was attended by many of our benefactors and many City Leaders including Mayor Richard Cortez and his wife, Elva Cortez.  The entire month was a festive month during which we provided refreshments and museum commemorative gifts to our visitors.

  • One special commemorative gift was a special reprint of the McAllen 50th anniversary (from City Charter date) magazine which was reprinted courtesy of MHC and the City of McAllen.  This magazine can also be purchased at MHC.

  • We began offering our educational "Traveling Trunks" program to our local schools.  This wonderful program was funded thanks to a grant received from the Junior League of McAllen.

  • We held a successful week of children's activities in July 2009 by offering the educational and cultural "Around the World in Five Days" program which was a great success!

  • We are beginning efforts towards creating "Story-Telling" events in the Center and continue to create fun activities for children that are historically educational.

  • Among many other projects and exhibit expansion and  development, we are working towards completing our own Rail exhibit during 2010.  This is possible through the efforts of board member, Spud Brown and the Rio Grande Valley Rail Club.

  • MHC website was developed and implemented during December 2009!  For all news and information about MHC go to:  www.mcallenheritagecenter.com