Museum of Harlingen Chronology
Compiled by Norman Rozeff, Harlingen Historical Preservation Society, 12/07
4/10/62 Hale Schalebin of Edinburg offers the Paso Real Inn and two acres surrounding it to the Lower Rio Grande Valley Historical Association.
1963 This year, at the request of City Libraian Verna McKenna, Howard Butt donates the old Harlingen Air Force Base (built in 1952) to house a gun collection which has been donated. The former detention center has 2,925 sq. ft. T Thus. This former detention center has 2,925 sq. ft. of space. Mrs. Butt also arranges a $500 donation from the Butt Foundation. The individuals who were then to organize to properly display arctifacts are Mrs. Mac Caul (Lon C. Hill's daughter Eustacia), Cecil Carruth (businessman), Gene McCullough (attorney), Mrs. Gerald (Verna) McKenna, Bill Pletcher (nurseryman and city commissioner), Lee Richards Hygeia Dairy), Mrs. Dorothy Washmon, and Mr. J. D. Werner (schoolteacher, city commissioner). Thus begins the origins of the Rio Grande Valley Museum, an idea first contemplated in the late 1950s. The initial name of the museum is the Landmarks Historical Society Museum, but, in 1968, this is changed to the Rio Grande Valley Museum. Curator Eleanor Gault, state represenatative Menton Murray, and Mrs. Caul are especially active in collecting local memorabilia. After much cleaning and the collection of artifacts, the museum has its formal opening in March 5, 1967 when its doors are opened to the public. In December of that year, the Rio Grande Valley Historical Museum Association is organized. Mrs. Charles Washmon chairs the fund-raising committee which raises about $184,000 to create the RGV Historical Museum Complex.
2/66 The City Commission passes an ordinance setting up a board to organize and direct activities of a museum.
3/72 The original Hill home is restored by the Junior Service League, Mrs. Bob Clark, chairman.
1973 The dilapidated Paso Real Inn is moved from its original site to the Rio Grande Valley Museum complex and will be restored in 1976.
1974 The Hill House is moved across Fair Park Blvd. after having been restored in 1971-72. Now on the southside of the boulevard, attracrtive gardens are established around the home.
1976 The old F Street Hospital, then owned by Louis Levine who donates it, comes to its final resting place in the museum complex.
Likely in 1976 Verna McKenna, longtime Harlingen librarian and a historian, put down a written reminiscence of the origins of the Rio Grande Valley Museum. It was reprinted in the Valley Morning Star 75th Harlingen Anniversary Issue 4/14/85. It reads:
"The City Manager requested me to call a meeting of the Local History and Landmarks Committee and the Library Board to consider the organization and operation of a museum. Mrs. M. C. Caul [Lon C. Hill's daughter Eustacia] had been willed a gun collection valuated at $3,000, and she wanted immediate action (on Mr. John Haines' will).
It was explained that none of the city-owned buildings at the old HAAF Base were fireproof. Objections were made to using a frame building. It was explained that Building 565, the old stockade or jail was fire-proof, but it belonged to H. E. Butt [the retail grocery chain].
I went back to the library and called the HEB office in Corpus Christi and was told Mr. Butt was in conference.
Mrs. Butt called back, and said they would make out the deed to the City of Harlingen. I called the Mayor and the City Manager and told them the good news of the gift.
Considerable change had to be made to the interior of the building. This was undertaken by the Jaycees under the supervision of the City.
I promised the Harlingen Museum a tape of my experiences in Harlingen. Pan American University also asked me for an oral history."
1973 The first full-time director is hired.
1981 In this year $174,000 was raised to add 2,000 additional sq. ft. to the old brig building. The added space allowed for the exhibit of costumes and historic manikin displays. On 11/7/82 with Henry Griffin as president of the RGV Museum Association, the new wing is dedicated. Although the by-laws of the association were adopted on January 20, 1981, the official incorporation of the organization would not be until 2/19/85.
1985 This year saw some major improvements to the complex. An enclosed patio with a fountain was laid along with inlaid-patterned paths. Some interior walls in the original building were removed to provide a better flow pattern and exhibition space. A storage area was erected and carpeting was installed. A tall southwestern style bell tower was erected over the main entrance to the museum.
1989 The F Street Hospital and Paso Real Inn were relocated on the grounds with funds donated in a will. This allowed more appropriate room for the Hill House.
5/89 The original Lon C. Hill home at Lon C. Hill Park is moved across town to the Rio Grande Valley Museum complex.
1990 A city bond issue passes, and it provides money for a $500,000 visitor center addition. This 8,012 sq, ft. building has two large exhibition area, gift shop, spacious atrium, a small auditorium, office and board room space, a kitchen, storage and work spaces.
1991 Linn Keller is employed to be museum director.
1992 The Rio Grande Valley Museum gets a facelift with the completion of the new reception/exhibition building to front the complex. This new facility is valued at $640,000 in 2002.
2/2001 Linn Keller resigns as museum director after experiencing conflicting ideas about the museum's future direction.
7/01 Karen Gerhardt is hired as new museum director. She holds a master's degree in museum studies form Baylor University and has been employed for three years as Weslaco Bicultural Museum director at a salary of about $30,000.
11/10/01 Ms. Gerhardt is placed on administrative leave after male employee Ramon Rivera makes a police report stating that he was threatened by her. On 11/15 she is released by the City.
Following this dismissal the museum experiences several years of loose administration and can be said to have been adrift.
12/05 City Parks and Recreation head, Tom Wilson, is given the directorship duties for the museum. He enthusiastically picks up the slack reins and initiates plans for its future.
1/17/05 Thomas (Tom) Michael Wilson, 52, dies of a heart attack. This Fort Worth native first worked in the Valley for the city of Mission where he helped to restore the historical La Lomita Mission Chapel. In Harlingen he became Director of Public Services (Parks and Recreation), a task he truly relished. One of his major accomplishments here was the creation of the Arroyo Trail. Recently he had been assigned the additional job as head of the Rio Grande Valley Museum. He was moving quickly to revitalize this somewhat stagnant institution when he succumbed. This Catholic leaves his wife, Maria Guadalupe (MG) Moreno, and sons Thomas Marion Wilson, Timothy Michael Wilson, and Todd Matthew Wilson, all of Harlingen, in addition to his mother, brothers, and sisters. Family wishes were that memorial contributions be made to the museum in lieu of flowers. On May 4 the city commission voted to name the southwest playing fields at the Harlingen Sports Complex on Wilson Road the "Tom Wilson Youth Sports Complex."
2/05 Upon the death of Wilson, the Museum Board actively moves to revitalize the museum. Volunteers are secured and trained. An inviting series of exhibits and events are then to follow.
3/6/05 A Texas State Historical marker commemorating the Harlingen Army Air Field and the Harlingen Air Force Base is dedicated and placed in the front of the museum. Markers already exist for the Old Harlingen Hospital and for the Lon C. Hill house.
9/05 The city appoints Tomas Arispe to be coordinator of the Rio Grande Valley Museum. His mother was originally from Port Isabel but moved to Los Angeles 37 years ago. After residing and being educated there, Arispe and his mother have returned to Port Isabel. On 11/2/05 he announces that the museum's name will shortly be changed to the Harlingen Arts & Heritage Museum to better reflect the community's involvement with it. Arispe will resign two years later to concentrate on his own business on South
Padre Island. His two year tenure is significant in that it marks a sharp turnaround in interest in the museum by the community
5/07 Patricia Morales is named Coordinator of the Harlingen Arts and Heritage Museum. She received her bachelor of arts degree in art history from the University of North Texas in Denton.
Now there is a continuous round of activities at the museum. Summer programs target youth while year-round exhibits and receptions draw the adults. Especially eventful are the annual "Taste of Harlingen" and the "Harlingen Heritage Festival" in July. A monthly newsletter keeps docents, members, and the public abreast of developments.