Texas Border Business
EDINBURG, Texas — The Museum of South Texas History will host the Sunday Speaker Series Online presentation, “Fiesta de Oro: Highlights of a 50 Year History,” featuring Shan Rankin, Fran Alger and Francisco Guajardo at 2 p.m. on April 18 on Facebook Live.
This presentation is in commemoration of MOSTHistory’s golden anniversary. Former directors and the current chief executive officer of the museum will discuss experiences that highlight the organization’s programming, leadership and its impact on the community. MOSTHistory first opened its doors as the Hidalgo County Historical Museum, changing its name in 2003 and upholding its vision to preserve and present the borderland heritage of South Texas and northeastern Mexico. Museum’s history can be viewed with the exhibit titled “Golden Memories: Fifty Years of Preserving the Borderland Heritage of the Rio Grande Valley,” which is open until the end of April.
Xenia Francesca “Fran” Alger was the executive director of MOSTHistory from 1977-1988. She was born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley. Her borderland upbringing, coupled with her anthropological background and experience in museum work, enabled her to expand the museum’s reach with the community.
Marsha Ann “Shan” Rankin was the executive director of MOSTHistory from 1989-2019. She worked with museum staff and board of trustees through capital campaigns, accreditations and restorations of its 1910 Jail for 30 years.
Francisco Guajardo, Ph.D., is the current Chief Executive Officer of MOSTHistory, who assumed his role in September 2019. His experience in developing culturally affirming education and leadership has aligned with the museum’s mission and its endeavor to create a new strategic plan.
Sunday Speaker Series Online can be found at www.facebook.com/mosthistory/live or on the museum’s website at mosthistory.org/sunday-speaker-series-online.
This program is made possible with generous support from the Carmen C. Guerra Endowment. Mrs. Guerra was deeply committed to supporting educational opportunities in the Rio Grande Valley. This named endowment was created at the museum by her family to honor her memory and to continue her commitment to providing opportunities for education to the community.
About Museum of South Texas History
The Museum of South Texas History is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. It is located downtown Edinburg at 200 North Closner Boulevard on the Hidalgo County Courthouse square. Founded in 1967 as the Hidalgo County Historical Museum in the 1910 Hidalgo County Jail, the museum has grown over the decades through a series of expansions to occupy a full city block. In 2003, following the completion of a 22,500 square foot expansion, the museum was renamed the Museum of South Texas History to better reflect its regional scope. Today, the museum preserves and presents the borderland heritage of South Texas and Northeastern Mexico through its permanent collection and the Margaret H. McAllen Memorial Archives and exhibits spanning prehistory through the 20th century. For more information about MOSTHistory, including becoming a FRIEND, visit MOSTHistory.org, like us on Facebook andInstagram, follow on Twitter, find on YouTube or call +1-956-383-6911.
