Hispanic Heritage Project

Celebrating Culture & Community

A documentary, traveling exhibit, and community project preserving the stories and contributions of Elgin area’s Hispanic community.

Visit our Facebook page to check out SABOR LOCAL – a new video series highlighting Hispanic restaurants in Elgin! PLUS lots of sneak peek interview videos that will be in the final documentary.

View page in English

View page in Spanish

Artwork by Cristina Colunga.

What is the Hispanic Heritage Project?

The Hispanic Heritage Project is an initiative by the Elgin History Museum to document and celebrate the rich and diverse contributions of the Hispanic community in the Elgin area.

With nearly half of Elgin’s population identifying as Hispanic, this project explores the profound impact of Hispanic immigration across six generations—tracing stories of resilience, cultural pride, and economic influence from the early 20th century to today. Using archival resources, oral histories, and community collaboration, the project will produce a feature-length documentary and a traveling exhibit to showcase the vibrant stories that have shaped our community’s history and future. This effort follows the museum’s successful projects celebrating Elgin’s African American and Jewish communities.

Why This Matters – And Why Now?

This project isn’t just about history—it’s about identity, belonging, and pride. By amplifying voices from the Hispanic community, we aim to foster pride within the community while building understanding and connections across cultures.

Designed to be flexible and accessible, the documentary and exhibit will appear in schools, libraries, and community centers, inspiring people of all backgrounds.

As we prepare for a 2026 debut to coincide with America’s 250th anniversary, we invite you to join us in preserving and sharing this vital heritage. Your support—whether through stories, sponsorship, or donations—will help bring this vision to life and ensure these stories are told for generations to come.

Project Timeline

March 2023

Invite Hispanic community members to meet about a documentary/traveling exhibit project exploring the history of Hispanic immigration, labor and contributions to Elgin.

End of 2023

Fundraising through grants, filming begins on community interviews.

2024

Grants, interviews, create artwork for marketing, website development.

2025

Develop the concept, sponsorships, exhibit vendors/designers.

2026

Premiere the documentary and exhibit in mid-April 2026. Travel the exhibit and film together around the Fox Valley region.

Recent Highlights

The Erasing Borders art show was a celebration of creativity and culture. Visitors experienced powerful works by local Hispanic artists—each piece telling part of a larger story about identity and community.

Thank you to everyone who came, shared, and supported this unforgettable event.

DONATE

How to Help

This project can’t happen without community support. Here’s how you can make an impact:
Donate – Every gift helps us collect interviews, create an exhibit, and produce a full-length documentary.
Become a Sponsor – Partner with us to demonstrate your commitment to diversity and local history.
Spread the Word – Share our project with friends, family, and coworkers.

Click here for information on corporate sponsorship.