MACRI Talk – Storied Property: María Cordova’s Casa

La Casa Cordova, known as Tucson, Arizona’s oldest building, was formerly the home of María Navarrete Cordova (1895–1975). In 1972, gentrification and urban renewal pushed Cordova out of her home. She and her family fought the removal in court, but lost the case. The historic building was preserved as a museum. The stories told there, however, did not represent María and her family’s history in the property, and their struggle to keep it. 

The story of Casa Cordova raises questions about the role and practice of historic preservation in the face of the displacement of historic communities of color. 

Join us for a virtual MACRI Talk featuring historian and memoirist, Dr. Lydia Otero, who will present on María Navarrete Cordova’s and her family’s history at Casa Cordova, telling the stories that are missing from the historic site’s narrative.

Wednesday, April 29, 2026  |  6PM – 7PM Central Time

OJO! This is a virtual event. The talk will livestream via Facebook at https://bit.ly/FB-MACRI and YouTube at https://bit.ly/YT-MACRI

RSVP to receive the links for the talk!

MACRI’s programs are funded in part by the City of San Antonio Department of Arts & Culture, Bexar County, the Mellon Foundation, the John L. Santikos Charitable Foundation Fund of the San Antonio Area Foundation, Spurs Give, and individual donors like you! Gracias! 

As always, views and ideas shared by presenters do not necessarily reflect those of the MACRI, its staff, board, or funders.

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About our guest

Lydia R. Otero is a writer, historian, and activist deeply rooted in the Arizona-Sonora border region, where they were born and raised. They were a tenured professor in the Department of Mexican American Studies at the University of Arizona (2003-2020). They were one of the original or founding members of Lesbianas Unidas in 1983 and were active in efforts including Lesbians of Color, Gay and Lesbian Latinos Unidos in Los Angeles, and the First National Lesbians of Color Conference. Their experiences as a queer activist, and blue-collar worker from 1978 to 1998 in Los Angeles form the basis of their book, L.A. Interchanges.