SAN ANTONIO – The Mexican American Civil Rights Institute (MACRI) hosted a press conference on Friday to announce a “significant milestone” in its steps to creating the nation’s first Mexican-American Civil Rights Museum in San Antonio.
Mayor Ron Nirenberg and U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro joined MACRI leaders and an architect from Ford Powell & Carson to discuss the findings of a site feasibility study.
The museum will be the first of its kind, and it will become a prime destination for learning about nearly 200 years of Mexican-American civil rights history.
“This tells the story of how Mexican-Americans have for generations contributed to creating a more perfect union, to expanding civil rights, to ensuring that we have equality for all,” Sarah Zenaida Gould, MACRI Executive Director said.
The museum’s location is still being decided, with five different sites that run from the West Side to downtown.
Site options include West Commerce Street next to the Herrera Law Firm, west of Interstate 10 just north of the UTSA downtown campus, directly across the street from that location, on the other side of I-10 by Market Square and Milan Park.
The locations will be decided within the next six months. As for its opening date, that will depend on funding.
Currently, MACRI receives about $250,000 from the city and county, but the institute said they will need 10 to 15 million for a capital campaign to build and open the museum.
The institute is asking the community for donations with a ‘Big Give’ opportunity coming next week to kick off the campaign.
Nirenberg said the museum is so much more than a destination that will attract tourists.
“It belongs in San Antonio, it is our story, and the children and grandchildren who inherit the city will inherit those stories but will inherit its mission,” Nirenberg said.
The press conference was held Friday, Sept. 13 at 11 a.m. and can be viewed in the video player below.