Esperanza Peace and Justice Center

SAN ANTONIO, TX September 30, 2025 — The Esperanza Peace and Justice Center is proud to announce the grand opening of the Museo del Westside set for Saturday, October 18th, at 10 am.
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.

Event Programming

Musical performances will begin at 11 am and will feature Belen Escobedo and Panfilo’s Güera, Azul Barrientos, Blanquita Rodriguez and Mariachi Esperanza, Rito & Hunter and Santiago Jimenez Jr.. While attendees wait to enter the Museo, they are invited to listen to music, attend workshops, shop at MujerArtes, and explore the Rinconcito de Esperanza.

Community Workshops

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

● Mexican Genealogy 101 facilitated by Donna Guerra

● Family Search facilitated by Sylvia Reyna

● Calle Guadalupe: Historia y Recuerdos facilitated by David Mercado Gonzales & Xavier Sánchez

● The Complexities & Joys of Creating a Community Museum facilitated by Antonia Castañeda

● Growing Up in an Ice House was Cool facilitated by the Reyes family

● Memories de mi Tía Romanita La Partera facilitated by Patty Silva






Background and Community Effort

El Museo del Westside has grown from the love, determination, and hard work of Westside residents. For years, Westsiders have been distressed by the demolition of homes and historic buildings in our beloved neighborhoods. Our way of life, our connections to each other, our rich cultural heritage, and el cariño a nuestro barrio seemed to be slowly disappearing. In 2002, community members fought to save La Gloria, where live bands played and people danced under the stars. Although the Westside community lost that fight, the struggle galvanized Esperanza’s determination to help long-term residents remain, to encourage young people to appreciate our rich cultural heritage, and to strengthen our Westside community identity.

A core group of community members formed the Corazones del Westside and began hosting story-telling gatherings at the Casa de Cuentos. By sharing stories of life in the Westside, participants fostered a deeper appreciation for the neighborhood’s rich cultural history. Soon, a vision of the Museo del Westside began to take shape. Then, in 2008, through the generosity of the Reyes family and Councilwoman Patti Radle, Esperanza acquired Ruben’s Ice House, a perfect building for a community museum that could bring the history and culture of the Westside to more of its residents and neighbors.

The Museo del Westside is a true community achievement, built by the dedication of
hundreds of people. Many contributors—from academics, community historians and interns dedicating hundreds of hours to research and writing, to architects, engineers and skilled workers providing services at reduced rates—have been essential to its success. This collective endeavor wouldn’t have been possible without the countless community members who generously donated their time, photographs, and artifacts to the Museo.

The event begins at 10 a.m. and will continue until 5 p.m. The public is invited to join the Esperanza in celebrating this historic achievement for the Westside community.

For interviews or further questions or concerns, please call Imane Saliba at 210-847-5545 or email pr@esperanzacenter.org.