The Mexican American Mirror/El espejo México Americano: Reflections of our City's Heritage/Reflejos de la herencia de nuestra ciudad
October 12, 2007-October 2008

"You can't talk about Phoenix without the huge part that was the Mexican community. And it goes way back, from the beginning of Phoenix." ~ Frank Barrios, Phoenix native.

This exhibit explores the roots of the valley's Mexican American community from the 1860s through the 1970s through photographs, artifacts, video clips, music, and hands-on activities.It discusses the political, social, economic, and cultural challenges that Mexican Americans faced, as well as their countless notable achievements. Mexican American labor made possible early agriculture and the development of barrios, Spanish language newspapers, and churches helped to provide a sense of cohesion and unity among Mexican Americans. Mutual aid societies, labor organizations, and civil rights groups helped community members achieve equality, justice, and political power while theaters, radio programs, and cultural celebrations provided entertainment within the community that also appealed to the entire population of Phoenix. From la madre de Phoenix, Trinidad Escalante Swilling, through the election of the state's first and only Mexican American governor, Raul Castro, the Mexican American community's significant history reflects the larger culture and identity of Phoenix.

This exhibit is a partnership with the City of Phoenix Historic Preservation Office who recently completed its first-ever study of Hispanic historic properties and neighborhoods. To view a copy of the report visit www.phoenix.gov.

This exhibit and related programming is made possible in part by the following sponsors:

• the Arizona Lottery
• the Arizona Humanities Council
• Banner Health