South Texas Publicly Engaged Humanities Conference

The last two years the South Texas History, Culture, Heritage, Archives and Museums Summit held presentations by Texas Historical Commission, Texas Commission on the Arts, Texas Historical Foundation and Humanities Texas.

In the first year the National Archives provided a presentation with a closing from the American Historical Association executive director. During last year’s summit participants requested a shift from a summit to a conference to allow for local and regional museums, arts organizations and humanities-based nonprofits an opportunity to present their work and future plans.

REGISTRATION

The conference is free to attend, but please register if you plan on attending.

Registration: South Texas Publicly Engaged Humanities Conference – Fill out form

If you need a hotel room, check in at the historic Casa de Palmas: Casa De Palmas, Trademark Collection by Wyndham | McAllen, TX Hotels

SCHEDULE

November 12, 2026

8 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Registration

8:30 a.m. – 9 a.m. Welcome

9:10 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Session 1 

Auditorium

Beyond the Walls: Building Partnerships and Creating External Exhibits

This presentation will explore how institutions such as the Museum of South Texas History can create exhibits in partnership with local governments such as the city of Pharr to expand reach and increase visitor engagement. Attendees will hear from panelists’ experience on establishing a partnership, negotiating terms and exhibit development on an exhibition displayed at the city library. 

Presenters: Jenarae Bautista, Curator of Exhibits and Collections, MOSTHistory; Debbie Gomez, Development Officer, MOSTHistory; Dr. Jonathan Flores, City Manager, City of Pharr; Austin Noyola, Curatorial Assistant, MOSTHistory; Jennifer Garcia, Registration Assistant, MOSTHistory

Meeting Room A

Ready Before the Rain: Disaster Preparedness for Organizations

Natural disasters can happen at any time and anywhere. Does your organization have a plan to prepare and combat the consequences of disasters? During this session, attendees will be provided literature and information on how to better prepare and communicate for a natural disaster.

Presenter: Nancy Carlson, Ph.D. candidate in Organizational Communication & Technology at the University of Texas at Austin

Meeting Room B

The Karankawa Resurgence 

For decades, people believed the Karankawa were cannibal nomads who only roamed the Galveston and Corpus Christi area. Research conducted by the Maria del Pilar Garza Museum, and a Karankawa descendant, debunked the myth, paving the way for many descendants to reclaim their ancestry.

Presenter: Alejandro Oyoque, museum director and curator at the Maria del Pilar Garza Museum

10:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Texas Tropical Trail Region Presentation

For more than 20 years, the Texas Tropical Trail Region has promoted heritage tourism through its museums, historic sites and Main Street Communities. Find out how your organization can utilize the low-cost resources Texas Tropical Trail Region has to offer to promote your event, program or exhibit.

Presenter: Pamela Morales de Hendricks, executive director

11:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. Meet Exhibitors in the Lobby

12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Lunch

1:40 p.m. – 3 p.m. Session 2

Auditorium

Uncovering the Valley: Sheldon Site Collection

The International Museum of Art and Science (IMAS) and the Community Historical Archaeology Project with the Schools (CHAPS) program at UTRGV, collaborated on an interactive exhibition that enhanced the “Unearth a Story” summer reading initiative at the Speer Memorial Library in Mission. This initiative shows how academic and cultural institutions can pool resources to promote regional stewardship.

Presenters: Marcelo A. Ramirez Garcia-Rojas, IMAS Curator; Luna I. Galvan, IMAS Exhibitions Coordinator and Curatorial Assistant; Miranda Olivares, IMAS Project Intern; Lauren Martinez, IMAS Project Intern; Roseann Bacha-Garza, CHAPS Program Projects Director and Associate Professor of Practice Anthropology

Meeting Room A

Texas Historical Commission: Museum Services

Whether you are new to the museum field or a pro, the Texas Historical Commission’s Museum Services is here to help. Attendees will have the chance to meet the new Museum Services staff and learn about upcoming projects.

Presenters: Ellen Cone Busch, Museum Services Director at the Texas Historical Commission; Beth Davis, Museum Services Program Coordinator at the Texas Historical Commission

Meeting Room B

Nuestra Herencia: Don Pedrito Jaramillo Shrine Restoration Project

This session will outline the Don Pedrito Shrine Restoration Project, a vital initiative awarded a subgrant through the Nuestra Herencia Grant Program, hosted by Latinos in Heritage Conservation (LHC) with generous support from the Mellon Foundation. Designed to provide funding and technical support directly to grassroots and community-led preservation projects, the Nuestra Herencia grant empowers efforts that safeguard significant Latino heritage sites across the United States.

Presenters: Nati Roman, Digital Editor, Refusing to Forget; Lourdes Treviño-Cantú, Heritage Museum at Falfurrias; René A. Ballesteros, Development Manager, Latinos in Heritage Conservation

3:10 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Session 3

Auditorium

Finding Matilda Hicks: A CHAPS Program Pathways to Freedom Initiative 

The Community Historical Archaeology Project with Schools (CHAPS) Program is dedicated to preserving the regional history and cultural resources of the Rio Grande Valley and the surrounding borderland region. Research efforts also include the migration of mixed-race families that settled along the banks of the Rio Grande in Hidalgo County prior to the U.S. Civil War. One family is the Jacksons whose matriarch was Matilda Hicks. 

Presenter: Roseann Bacha-Garza, UTRGV Associate Professor of Practice and CHAPS Program Projects Director

Meeting Room A

Texas Historical Commission: Certified Local Government 

Certified Local Government isn’t only for municipalities or counties, it’s also for humanities-centered organizations seeking to improve a preservation or heritage project. During this session, attendees will learn what Certified Local Government is and how to apply for grants using this status.

Presenter: Kelly Davis, Certified Local Government Coordinator at the Texas Historical Commission

Meeting Room B

Digital Humanities Projects Across Place and Space 

This session will explore the Digital Humanities projects in the borderlands through a mix of disciplines including Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping, photography, ethnographies and publicly engaged humanities projects that aim to display the cultural heritage and lived experiences of the peoples of the borderlands.

Presenters: Andrik Gonzalez, Founder at the Caminos Institute; Dr. Deborah Linsley Liles, Enslaved Texas Project; René A. Ballesteros, Hidalgo County Historical Commission

November 13, 2026

8 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Registration

8:30 a.m. – 9:10 a.m. Session 4

Auditorium

Richard Stillman: Los Tejanos-Documentary (Two Sessions)

In an era where some Texas Universities are refusing to use the word “TEJANO” in their curriculum, in a nation where the political atmosphere is to dismiss history y culture of people of color. There is a proud y resilient historic cultured enthic group who laid the foundation y fabric of not only Texas but our nation: “Los Tejanos!” A 500 year History that is arguably the best documentary film ever produced that is dedicated exclusively to Tejano/Mexican American History in Texas.

Presenters: Richard Stillman, Founder of La Santa Cruz de la Concepción Tejanos SCCT/ Executive Producer of “Los Tejanos”; Dr. Trinidad Gonzales

Meeting Room A

South Texas Landmarks: Texas Historical Markers in Hidalgo County 

County Historical Commissions (CHCs) play an important role in local preservation and heritage efforts, but are often unknown or underutilized partners in their communities. This session will help demystify CHCs and provide an introduction to some of their responsibilities, with an emphasis on the Texas Historical Marker application and approval process. 

Presenters: Community Members with historical markers and designations; Gabriel Ozuna, Hidalgo County Historic Preservation Officer, Hidalgo County Historical Commission; René A. Ballesteros, Publicity Chair, Hidalgo County Historical Commission 

Meeting Room B

A New Look for Harlingen’s Iwo Jima Monument

Since the 1980s, the Iwo Jima Monument in Harlingen has been an inspiring symbol of strength, courage and leadership. In 2024, the Marine Military Academy partnered with the Texas Historical Commission to move the museum into the future. Attendees will get a sneak peek at the preliminary building and exhibit designs, and learn on how the local community can get involved.

Presenters: Bill Irwin, executive director of Iwo Jima Monument and Museum State Historic Site, and Kelly Francis-Love, curator at the Iwo Jima Monument and Museum State Historic Site

9:20 a.m. – 10:40 a.m. Session 5

Auditorium

Richard Stillman: Los Tejanos-Documentary

Meeting Room A

Rediscovering Nuevo Santander, A Public Heritage of South Texas Initiative

Public Heritage of South Texas (PHST) is dedicated to preserving the varied heritages of the Rio Grande Valley and the larger South Texas region. The PHST was contacted regarding the available information for K-12 teachers and the general public on the distinctive identity and society of the Rio Grande Valley that arose in the 18th century. In this session, presenters will briefly discuss a range of projects that might be feasible and the path forward in bringing them to fruition. Those joining the session will be encouraged to share their thoughts.

Presenters: Christopher L. Miller, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, History, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Founding Director, Public Heritage of South Texas; Russell K. Skowronek, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Anthropology & History, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Co-Director, Public Heritage of South Texas; Irving Levinson, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, History, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Associate, Public Heritage of South Texas

Meeting Room B

ENTRE: Film Center and Regional Archive

Home movies and oral histories provide an intimate and deeply personal documentation of lived experience, yet they are often overlooked when it comes to preservation. In this session, ENTRE will share some examples of outreach efforts and training, spotlight materials from their collection, and emphasize the value these collections bring to cultural heritage and future generations.

Presenters: C. Diaz, co-founder and archivist at the ENTRE Film Center; Andrea Flores, archive fellow at the ENTRE Film Center; Brandon Guerrero, archive fellow at the ENTRE Film Center

10:50 a.m. – 12 p.m. Open Discussion on Publicly Engaged Humanities