Comunidad y Herencia Cultural

The Comunidad y Herencia Cultural will create a series of traveling exhibits to engage with rural communities across Oregon where participants can learn about the Mexican equestrian tradition known as Charrería. The traveling exhibition will feature authentic attire, saddlery, ropes, books, photographs, and multimedia displays that illustrate the rich cultural legacy of Charrería rooted in history, family, artistry, connection to land and animals, and community identity. Project activities include developing exhibition materials, collaborating with local schools to plan interactive educational programming, and installing the traveling exhibit in partnership with up to six local communities each year. This project will enhance the care and use of the museum collections by implementing professional handling protocols, using protective display cases, and maintaining secure transport methods to ensure the preservation of fragile materials. The project includes public programming with live demonstrations and storytelling emphasizing that Charreria is a living tradition actively sustained by families today. As a result of this project, students, families, and community members will gain increased historical understanding of the story of Charrería and Latino Americans in Oregon while strengthening cross-cultural connections in rural communities.