Join us on Saturday, October 18, 2025 at 10 a.m. for the grand opening of the Museo del Westside.

The Museo del Westside is the realization of a dream sparked by the Westside community's fight to preserve our neighborhoods. For years, the loss of historic buildings and our cultural way of life threatened the heart of our barrio.

After the struggle to save La Gloria in 2002, community members formed the Corazones del Westside. They began gathering stories, nurturing a vision for a place that would honor our history.
That vision found its home in 2008 when Esperanza acquired Ruben’s Ice House. Built by the hard work of hundreds of contributors—from historians and architects to countless neighbors donating photos and artifacts—the Museo is a true community achievement.

It is a testament to the fact that our culture and history will endure!
Confirmed speakers include Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones and Councilwoman Teri Castillo, alongside retired professor Tomás Ybarra Frausto, the honorable María Antonietta Berriozábal, members of the Museo’s advisory committee and singer Blanquita Rodriguez. The morning's ceremonies will be emceed by La Chata Noelesca, a character brought to life by educator and performer Rita Urquijo-Ruiz.

𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬
11 AM Blanca Rodriguez with Henry Gomez y Mariachi Esperanza
12 PM Panfilo’s Güera,
1 PM Azul Barrientos
2 PM Rito y Hunter
3 PM Panfilos's Güera
4 PM Santiago Jimenez Jr. y Su Conjunto
All day poetry readings by Teatro Esperanza

𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐬:
The day will feature educational workshops designed to engage the community in history and preservation.

11 am - Mexican Genealogy 101 facilitated by Donna Guerra
12 pm - Family Search facilitated by Sylvia Reyna
1 pm - Guadalupe: Historia y Recuerdos facilitated by David Mercado Gonzales & Xavier Sánchez
2 pm - Complexities & Joys of Creating a Community Museum facilitated by Antonia Castañeda
3 pm - Up in an Ice House was Cool facilitated by the Reyes family
4 pm - Memorias de mi Tía Romanita La Partera facilitated by Patty Silva