MACRI Collection

Research & Collections

Contibute to the collection

MACRI is building its collections of Mexican American civil rights artifacts to become the foundation of future exhibitions and research. Read below to find out how to submit an artifact for consideration.

The Mexican American Civil Rights Institute (MACRI) collects items that represent the history of Mexican American civil rights efforts. Donated artifacts must fit within the scope of our mission and adhere to our collecting policies. We are committed to preserving and presenting our collections for future generations to enjoy, and we consider artifact donations that help make this possible.

How to Donate an artifact to MACRI

Send us an email at mclemens@somosmacri.org. Include a description of the artifact with any information you have about it, including its age, who owned it, and its history. Attaching photos is very helpful.

Criteria

Every artifact is considered on a case by case basis. If your artifact appears to fit our collecting criteria, we will make an appointment with you for further review of the artifact. Considerations will include:

How the artifact fits within our mission
Availability of appropriate storage for the artifact
The condition of the artifact
A clear chain of ownership of the object.

Decision

After examining the artifact, a decision will be made by staff as to whether or not it can be accepted. If accepted, a Deed of Gift will be provided for your signature.

EXAMPLES OF ARTIFACTS OF INTEREST

Photographs, videos, or home movies of people, events, and organizations related to the Mexican American civil rights movement, especially from the 1920s to the present Documents from Mexican American civil rights activists, organizations, and organizing efforts, especially from the 1920s to the present.

Ephemera such as buttons, posters, flyers, or handbills from Mexican American civil rights organizations and organizing efforts, especially from the 1920s to the present

DIGITAL ARCHIVES

COMING SOON – MACRI is building its digital archives. Get a sneak peak at some of our items below:

Albert A. Peña

Photo of Albert A. Peña (1917-2006), the "Dean of Chicano Politics," in front of his office in 1989. He was the first Mexican American elected to the Bexar County Commission (1956-1972) and served as a Municipal Court Judge (1977-1992).

Joan Baez

Time Magazine dated November 23, 1962, featuring cover artwork of Mexican American Joan Baez, a bestselling folk artist and civil rights icon.

Alianza Hispano-Americana

The Alianza Hispani-Americana was a mutual aid society founded in Tucson, AZ in 1894 and spread throughout the Southwest. Members had policies like this one to help them in times of need.

Rosie Castro

Undated photo of civil rights trailblazer Maria del Rosario "Rosie" Castro at a press conference. A member of the Mexican American Youth Organization, the Committee for Barrio Betterment, and the Raza Unida Party, Castro worked to increase Mexican American political representation.

Bilingual Health Access

In this photo from 1991, Josephine Vargas protests English-only policies at a Houston health clinic during a town hall hosted by Congressman Craig Washington, highlighting inequities in public health access.

Medal of Honor Comics

Comic book published in 1946 featuring the story of Mexican American Medal of Honor recipient Staff Sergeant Marcario (Macario) Garcia (1920-1972).

Margarita Huantes P

Photo of social worker and literacy advocate Margarita Huantes (1912–1994) in her office in 1980. As the founder of the San Antonio Literacy Council, she worked to end adult illiteracy in the Mexican American community, reaching over 60,000 students.

Farm Worker Rights

Photo of Texas Governor John Connally with Rio Grande Valley farm workers during a march along Interstate 35 advocating for improved labor conditions and farmworker rights in 1966.

Housing and Urban Development Plaque

This plaque dated 2005, recognizes Henry G. Cisneros for his leadership as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (1993-1997).

Archbishop Patrick Flores

Undated photo of the fist Mexican American Catholic Bishop and Archbishop, Patrick Flores (1929-2017) speaking at San Fernando Cathedral. A tireless advocate for the Mexican American community, he co-founded PADRES (Padres Asociados para Derechos Religiosos, Educativos, y Sociales) in 1969.

ORal histories

We are looking for personal and family stories about Mexican American civil rights activism and experiences to build a collection of oral histories that will become the foundation of future exhibitions and research.

If you have a story to share, please email info@somosmacri.org.

BROWN PAPERS

Current ideas on Mexican American Civil Rights

VOLUME 1

SPRING 2021

The inaugural Brown Papers explores key issues in Mexican American civil rights, focusing on education and voting in Texas. Featuring insights from top scholars and advocates, this edition examines the fight for Mexican American Studies, Latino voting dynamics, and grassroots efforts against systemic inequities. Download to learn more about these critical topics.

VOLUME 2

SPRING 2025

Brown Papers, Volume 2, offers a retrospective of ideas from Mexican American scholars to commemorate MACRI’s fifth anniversary.

VOLUME 3

FORTHCOMING

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