The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
LORAIN LATINOS CELEBRATED
Historical Society marks 100 years of heritage in city
The Lorain Historical Society is celebrating Hispanic heritage with a new exhibition.
The Latino Lorain History Project Special Exhibit celebrates 100 years of Latino History in Lorain.
El Centro De Servicios Soc, Oberlin College and the Lorain Historical Society are primary sponsors of the exhibition.
“There were a lot of major players involved in developing this project,” said Jesse Guardado, the graphic designer. “I was given all the information and put it all together in a way that made sense for the display exhibit.”
Guardado said he never has worked on a project this heartwarming.
“I’ve done many exhibits in my career, but this one was very heartwarming because it’s about a community that is still here,” he said. “A lot of people recognize and connect with the old photographs and stories.”
The exhibit opened to the public Sept. 15 and will run until Oct. 30 on select days of the week inside the Carnegie Center, 329 W. 10th St.
“I’ve done many exhibits in my career, but this one was very heartwarming because it’s about a community that is still here.”
— Graphic designer Jesse Guardado
The hours are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The display focusing on the impact of Vine Avenue is available throughout the entirety of Hispanic Heritage Month, which started Sept. 15 and concludes Oct. 15.
The exhibition hones in on Vine Avenue as the “soul” of the Latino community in Lorain.
According to the display, Vine Avenue was the first neighborhood where many Mexican and Puerto Rican families settled in Lorain.
The first Latino settlers arrived in two waves: in the 1920s and 1940s.
Individual stands provide information regarding different sectors of life such as industry and steel, urban renewal, religion and spirituality, entrepreneurship and more.
The information was compiled through research, oral and written, and also features a timeline for travelers. Throughout the month, different Latinx organizations will sponsor and present the showcase to their audience.
On Sept. 16, the Mexican Mutual Society was the sponsor.
“It’s extra special for us to sponsor today, because it is our Mexican Independence Day,” said Marie Leibas, longtime member and former treasurer of the Mexican Mutual Society. “Yesterday, we celebrated at the Mexican Mutual, and today, we have the honor of sponsoring.”
Leibas said she remembers the journey her family made nearly 100 years ago.
“I really like being able to tell the story of my family’s migration,” she said. “I just love to relate to that.”
Jenn McGee-McManamon, coordinator of Children’s Education and Curriculum for the Historical Society, said the timeline was included to visually engage the youth who will visit the exhibit.
The activity McGee-McManamon created will allow youngsters to match pre-dated photos to the 100year timeline.
“The real purpose for understanding history is to connect to the younger generation,” she said. “We want to simplify the exhibit in a visual sense so the kids can really feel like they’re a part of the learning process.”
McGee-McManamon said multiple schools are scheduled to visit the exhibit in-person and others will receive the lesson via elearning.
“It’s important to share these stories so we all better understand the journey and lives of people in this community who came before us,” she said.