Realty Website

Copyright © 2007 EWM Realtors     Design by Real Estate Tomato     Powered by Tomato Blogs

suits and household items dating back to the 1870s.

"People brought in their own items and brought in photos and things that were their grandparents' or their parents' items," Macias said. "So many people just wanted to honor them or remembered the stories they told and wanted others to do the same."

The rosy smell that remains on a black shawl reminds Norma Castillo of the many fond memories she had of her grandmother: her cooking, teachings and the neighborhood she and her family grew up in -- Chihuahuita.

"We have been in El Paso for a long time," Castillo said of her family. "My grandparents were there since the early 1900s, and we used to know everyone that was living there. We still know some of the people that we grew up with that are living there. But Freddy Morales (a historian and Chihuahuita resident) would never mention my grandparents or knew who they were. When people see these photos and the dress that belonged to my Tia Ines, I hope it reminds them of family. You know, everyone eventually wants to know their roots."

Norma McCoy, decided to submit several photographs of her mother, Evangelina Canchola, while she was in the army.

"It was a roundabout way that I got around to bringing them here," McCoy said. "When my mother passed away in 2006, I wanted to take her photographs and her items, including a shirt from when she completed basic training, to the Fort Bliss Museum. But they directed me to the El Paso Museum of History. My mother never really told us much, so since she passed away, I began doing research of my own. I wanted to learn more about her. So I've gone back to my godmother for some of that information, because she grew up with her and still lives in the Segundo Barrio."

The photographs of Canchola are the only photographs the museum has of a woman in the army for the exhibit, Macias said.

"We see a lot of men in their suits, but not any of the 600 photographs that were turned in showed a woman in a military uniform," Macias said. "This was very unique because this not only gives us a different perspective but also tells us around when this photo was taken and the time period, which must have been shortly after the army was desegregated."

Stories of family, of work, tradition and culture are what Macias wants the exhibit to resonate.

The project is expected to be complete by the end of this year. Once the gallery is ready, residents will be able to browse through the 2,500-square-foot interactive gallery.

A small theater in the center of the exhibit will showcase a 15-minute video of oral histories from neighborhood residents. Across from the theater will be a large screen that will tell the story of the city's past, from before there were European settlements to today.

One wall will depict images of Segundo Barrio, and another will showcase Chihuahuita.

Digital frames will line the center of the walls with photos.

"And if people want to share a photo, they can upload it wirelessly," Macias said. "And later, we can go back and update those new photos so they can be displayed the following month or so. We want to make this as interactive as possible."

Alex Hinojosa may be reached at ahinojosa@elpasotimes.com; 546-6137.

• Madison County Realty

  a locally owned and managed company, is the Top Producer in listings and sales in the Madison and Morgan County area. Diversified in all types of sales, we sell more ...

• Sun Realty Nag Head Nc

• Realty Link Calgary

  Sotheby's International Realty Canada You can reach Deborah at (403) 667-7355 (403)254-5315 Now Toll Free Across North America! 1-866-667-7355

• Prudential Signature Realty

• Fedoruk Realty

  contact information for Homelife Realty Plus Ltd., Brokerage a real estate company in Toronto, Ontario. Includes their name, realty company, phone number, website, and ...