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Webb County Heritage Foundation |
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Growing out of the Laredo Historical Society founded in 1955, the Webb County Heritage Foundation was chartered in 1980 by local citizens concerned with protecting the architecture, artifacts, and cultural traditions of the border community. The Webb County Heritage Foundation seeks to promote an awareness and appreciation of the goals of historic preservation, heritage education, and heritage tourism. It has been instrumental in the designation of local historic districts and participates in the process of protecting the integrity of these and other areas through its work with the city of Laredo's Historic District Landmark Board. The WCHF conducts tours of historic downtown Laredo; archives historic documents, maps, photographs, and oral histories; presents exhibitions; and operates the Republic of the Río Grande Museum in one of Laredo's oldest structures located on San Agustín Plaza. After the dissolution of the Nuevo Santander Museum on the Laredo Community College campus, many of Laredo's most significant historical artifacts came to reside at the Republic of the Río Grande Museum. The museum is a Mexican vernacular structure, constructed in 1830 with an 1860 addition. It was once the home of Bartolomé García, prominent rancher and mayor of Laredo. According to tradition, in 1840, the structure served as the capitol of the Republic of the Río Grande. The Museum is considered a historic house museum which features displays recreating an authentic c.1830 home in Laredo. The building is a Recorded Texas Historical Landmark and a Contributing Structure to the San Agustín National Register District. Along with its neighbors, San Agustín Cathedral and La Posada Hotel, the museum forms a triangle of the most visited historic landmarks in the city. Historical Preservation Advocacy The WCHF advocates architectural preservation and protection through cooperation with other individuals and entities which seek historical designations, landmarks, and legislation. This program serves the communities of the border by active means to protect, restore, rehabilitate, support, or prevent the unnecessary demise or demolition of historic structures. Work on this program is done in collaboration with the Historic District Landmark Board, the Webb County Historical Commission, the Texas Historical Commission, the Webb County Archeology Society, Caminos del Río, Inc., Preservation Action, Preservation Texas, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Historic tax abatement information (no charge) and Historic Building Preservation kits (at a fee of $5 for Foundation members and $10 for non-members) are provided at the Foundation office. The Foundation has also sponsored the "adoption" of San Agustín Plaza through the City of Laredo's Parks and Recreation Department in order to protect and preserve Laredo's oldest park as a restful, recreational place for the community. Restoration and Rehabilitation Fund The Foundation maintains a revolving fund used for the acquisition and disposal of personal and real property of historical significance. The program serves the community in the rescue and protection of structures which are in imminent danger or are in need of matching funding for preservation purposes. In 1994, the Webb County Heritage Foundation undertook the $400,000 restoration of the Republic of the Río Grande Museum. That project involved securing numerous foundation grants as well as the cooperation of many generous local patrons. In 1999, the Foundation donated $20,000 to the City of Laredo as part of a matching grant to fund the rehabilitation of the historic Benavides-Herrera home at 802 Grant St. as a Visitors' Center. As part of its mission of historic preservation and downtown development, the Foundation's San Agustín Plaza bench replacement project represents $50,000 of private investment for beautification of a public park. Heritage Education / Community Outreach The WCHF disseminates knowledge, promotes interest, and encourages study and research of this region's history and heritage through programs and services. Board members and staff provide visits to schools, media appearances, and presentations to civic groups to educate the public on local and regional history. Subjects range from local historical narratives, regional folk tales, ghost stories, and presentations on the history and characters surrounding the Republic of the Río Grande. The Foundation produces permanent and temporary exhibits on regional history; presents the annual Heritage Awards which honors individuals and groups for outstanding commitment to historic preservation; commemorates the founding of Laredo with an annual celebration in May; and sponsors the reenactment of the inauguration of the President of the Republic of the Río Grande. All these programs and services are open to the public and free of charge.
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Thank You! Preservation Partners Chief Carlos X. Carrillo of the U.S. Border Patrol, Laredo Sector, Mr. & Mrs. Manuel Guerra, ICML Mr. Anthony Leyendecker, Jr.
Good Fellow Members Minimall of Laredo
Corporate Members
Mr. & Mrs. Larry Dovalina Mr. & Mrs. Angel Laurel - Laurel Minerals, LTD Shefrey Engineering
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