Abstract

In June 2007 the new El Paso Museum of History opened its doors to the public. Over two years of development and planning had taken place and inclusiveness was expected. Instead, collections reflect the history of the region through a colonial, male-dominated lens. Women are stereotyped, indigenous people are represented by tokens of their culture, and the contributions of African Americans are downplayed. Adhering to the storyline of colonialism, the largest and most prominent exhibit is a replica of a mission façade. Next to this façade, children can build a mini-mission with wooden blocks, re-enacting the forced indigenous labor upon which the Spaniards relied. In this way, children unknowingly participate in a historically traumatic period, reifying the colonial subtext of the exhibit and the public “art” in El Paso. These limitations are not only damaging to the local communities presumed to be represented, but also to tourists who get only a smattering of both the uniqueness and richness of our common past and heritage. This paper will explore not only the many missed museum opportunities to address diversity and multiculturalism, but will provide concrete policy recommendations and suggestions for museums in the areas of planning, staffing, exhibit development, and fundraising.