El Museo Latino facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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The Polish Home
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View from 25th Street
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 Location in Nebraska
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| Location | 4701 S. 25th Street, Omaha, Nebraska |
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| Built | 1916 |
| Architectural style | Romanesque Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 15000793 |
| Added to NRHP | November 16, 2015 |
El Museo Latino is a special museum in South Omaha, Nebraska. It shows amazing art and history from Latino and Hispanic cultures. You can find it at 4701 South 25th Street.
Magdalena García started the museum in 1993. It was the very first museum of its kind in the Midwest. It's a place where you can learn a lot about Latino art and history.
Museum History
El Museo Latino was founded by Magdalena Garcia. She was born in Mexico City and moved to Omaha when she was nine. Magdalena later studied art and how to run museums. She earned degrees from the University of Nebraska Omaha and Syracuse University.
In 1993, she came back to Omaha and opened El Museo Latino. It first opened inside the Livestock Exchange Building.
The Museum's Home
In 1997, the museum moved to its current home. This building, at 4701 S. 25th Street, has a long history. It was first a school called South Central School, built in 1887. In 1916, the school was mostly rebuilt. It became a single-story, U-shaped building in the Romanesque Revival style.
After the school closed, the American Legion bought the building in 1930. They couldn't keep it up, so in 1936, they sold it. The new owners were the Polish Home. This was a group that helped the many Polish immigrants in South Omaha.
The Polish Home used the building for many things. It had a library and offered Polish language classes. It also hosted dances, weddings, and community meetings. The Polish Home owned the building until 1998. That's when El Museo Latino bought it and made it their permanent home.
In 2015, the museum's building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. It was listed under its old name, "Polish Home."
About the Museum
El Museo Latino has many exhibits about Latino and Hispanic art and history. They offer educational programs for all ages. These include classes for kids from kindergarten to twelfth grade, and also for adults.
You can take part in lectures, art classes, and workshops. They also have dance classes and guided tours. The museum is a great place to learn about Latino studies in the Midwest.
Special Exhibits and Events
The museum has shown amazing works by famous artists like Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. They've also featured exhibits from the Smithsonian Institution. Actor Edward James Olmos helped organize one of these exhibits. Photographers like David Bacon and painters like Terry Rosenberg have also shown their work here.
El Museo Latino celebrates many important cultural events. They have an annual brunch for Cinco de Mayo. During Hispanic Heritage Month in September, they host a special banquet. Family Day celebrations happen throughout the year. The museum's own dance group, "CHOMARI" Ballet Folklorico Mexicano, performs often. They also invite other artists to perform.
A big event is the annual celebration for El Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead). This includes a festival, special exhibits, and cultural activities.
See also
