Altar (Ofrenda)
These altars are made to honor loved ones who have died.
On Halloween night, children that have passed are believed to return and stay
through November 1st, while adults who have passed visit November 2nd.
It has been said that the animals will come and visit on October 27 if you put out an ofrenda for them
Our ofrenda is dedicated to some of those that have made an impact on the El
Paso Public Library, Border Heritage Center, and the El Paso Community.
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Decoative cut paper used that also represents the element 'air.'
Butterflies (Mariposas)
Symbolic icon representing the belief in some areas of Mexico that when the deceased leaves this world and passes to eternal life their souls return as butterfies.
Cempas煤chitl (Flor de Muerto)
This flower, also known as the marigold, is used to decorate graves and altars
as the odor is said to attract and guide the spirits who come to visit their
mortal loved ones. Can also represent the element 'earth.'
Candles & Copal
To help guide the way for the spirits and also represent the element 'fire.'
Tapestries (Tapete de Arena)
Sand sculptures, or tapestries, are a vital part of the celebration in some
regions of Mexico. These tapestries can be created with sand, pigment,
flowers, etc.
Ours depicts the El Paso Public Library logo drawn
with colored sand, puffy paint, and various flowers and petals.
Water
There is a jar of water to quench the thirst of the spirits who visit and
also symbolizes the element 'water.'
Offerings
On the ofrenda are various offerings to the dearly departed and are
generally items they enjoyed in life. Food can also represent the
element 'earth'.
Our offerings included copal, tea, coffee, flowers (to represent gardening), cat
statue (to represent animals), and a fake ice cream scoop to represent pan
de muerto.
⭐Check out the video of our ofrenda on Facebook⭐
Those on the Ofrenda / Ellos en la ofrenda:
Mark Pumphrey 2010-2019
Mark was a native of Carlisle, Kentucky and made El Paso his home since
2010.
He was the deputy director and later, the director of the El Paso Public
Library for several years until his retirement in 2019. During his
tenure in his various directorial positions, Pumphrey had been instrumental
in the growth of adult education services and continuing literacy programs
that also supported economic development in the City of El Paso.
Instituted the Career Online High School Program in 2014 to offer El Paso
residents a way to obtain their high school diploma with a career
certification.
Helped create the Literacy Centers career and entrepreneurial program
WorkPLACE (Public Literacy Access to Careers and Entrepreneurship) in 2018
While serving as interim public library director he was influential in the
library receiving the 2017 Excellence in Library Award from the Texas
Municipal Library Directors Association
Mark era un native de Carlisle, Kentucky y lleg贸 a El Paso desde
2010.
Trabaj贸 como director de la biblioteca p煤blica de El Paso por varios a帽os
hasta su retiro en 2019. Pumphrey fu茅 clave instrumental en la
educaci贸n para adultos y programas de alfabetizaci贸n, los cuales
contribuyeron para el desarrollo econ贸mico de la ciudad de El Paso.
En 2014 cre贸 el programa de preparatoria en l铆nea
En 2018, ayud贸 a crear el Centro de Alfabetizaci贸n y Carreras, conocido
en ingl茅s como WorkPLACE (Public Literacy Access to Careers and
Entrepreneurship)
En 2017, mientras serv铆a como director interino de las bibliotecas,
gracias a 茅l y a otros factores, la Biblioteca P煤blica de El Paso
recibi贸 el premio 2017 de Excelencia Bibliotecaria por parte de la
Asociaci贸n Municipal de Directores Bibliotecarios de Texas
James "Jim" Prezepasniak 2001-2009
Served as Main Library Administrator and as a Deputy Director of Library Services
He was instrumental in overseeing Main Library’s expansion in 2004
In 2002, under his direction, the library introduced its first online catalog, SOS (Service-On-Line
Active member of multiple organizations such as the American Library Association (ALA), Texas Library Association (TLA), Border Regional Library Association (BRLA), Border Regional Archives Group (BRAG), REFORMA, Library Leadership and Management Association, OCLC Cataloguing Advisory Committee, Northwest Interlibrary Cooperative of Pennsylvania, Northwest Chapter of the Pennsylvania Library Association, and Illinois Library Association
He also received multiple certificates to include Archives & Records Management, Paper Preservation, Ethnic Studies, Ethnography, and Performer’s.
Jim past away in 2009
Administrador de la biblioteca principal. Director de servicios bibliotecarios
Influencial en la expasi贸n de la biblioteca principal en 2004
En el 2002, bajo su direcci贸n, la bilbioteca introdujo su primer cat谩logo in l铆nea - SOS (Service-On-Line)
Miembro activo de la Sociedad Americana de Bibliotecas, La Asociaci贸n de Bibliotecas de Texas (TLA), Associaci贸n (BRLA), Grupo Regional de Archivos de la Frontera (BRAG), REFORMA, Asociaci贸n de Administraci贸n de Bibliotecas, OCLC Comit茅 de Consejo para Cat谩logos
Se certific贸 en Control de Archivos y Preservaci贸n de Papel y m谩s
Jim falleci贸 en 2009
Mary A. Sarber 1975-1997
Collector of Southwest fiction
Managed the Southwest collection development
Southwest Section Librarian
Served as an Interim Director of The El Paso Public Library for several years
Member of the Border Regional Library Association
Book editor and writer
Border Books columnist for The El Paso Times newspaper
Member of the El Paso County Historical Commission
Created the Border Heritage Center by combining the Southwest, RAZA, and Genealogy collections
Initiated the Border Regional Library Association Southwest Book Awards
Advocated for buildings designed by Architect Henry Trost in downtown El Paso, to be added to the National Register of Historical Places
Author of “Photographs from the Border” book published by The El Paso Library Association in 1977
Retired from the library in 1997
Coleccionaba libros de ficci贸n relacionados a el suroeste de Texas
Coordinaba la colecci贸n de el suroeste de la biblioteca
Sirvi贸 como directora interina de la biblioteca p煤blica de El Paso por varios a帽os
Miembra active de la Asociaci贸n Fronteriza Regional de las Bibliotecas
Editora y escritora
Columnista para el peri贸dico de El Paso Times en la secci贸n Border Books
Miembra active de la Comisi贸n Hist贸rica de el condado de El Paso
Cre贸 el Centro de la Herencia Fronteriza
Inici贸 los premios literarios de Asociaci贸n Fronteriza Regional de las Bibliotecas
Abog贸 porque se reconocieran los edificios dise帽ados por el arquitecto Henry Trost en el centro de El Paso, como parte de el Registro Nacional de Lugares Hist贸ricos
Autora de el libro “Photographs from the Border” publicado por La Asociaci贸n de Bibliotecas en 1977 Se retir贸 de la biblioteca en 1997
Se retir贸 de la biblioteca en 1997
Mrs. Helen Seymour Farrington 1945-1955
First curator of the El Paso Historical Society
Formerly assistant librarian of The Los Angeles Library Association
Head of the Regional Division embracing five states of the Southwest
Director of the El Paso Public Library in 1945
Interested in a new building with a Southwest architecture
Campaigned to get bond for new building, other services, and book mobile
Conducted historical research for scholars and researchers
Served as President of the Southwest and American Library Association
Retired in 1955
Primera curadora de la Sociedad Hist贸rica de El Paso
L铆der de la Division Regional de los estados de la regi贸n suroeste
Directora de la biblioteca p煤blica de El Paso en 1945
Mobiliz贸 campa帽as por fondos para construir una nueva biblioteca con semblanza suroeste, otros programas, y la biblioteca rodante
Asisti贸 a historiadores y estudiantes
Presidenta de la Asociaci贸n de el Suroeste y de la Asociaci贸n Bibliotecaria Americana
Se retir贸 en 1955
Miss Mary Irene Stanton 1894-1946
Came to El Paso in 1884
Teacher at El Paso public schools for 32 years; resigned in 1916
Founder of El Paso Public Library
In 1894, with @ 600-800 books from her own personal collection, opened a Boys Reading Club for her students in room 127 of the old Sheldon Hotel in Downtown El Paso
El Paso First president of the El Paso Library Association
Applied for grants
In 1904, she received a $35,000 grant from Andrew Carnegie, an industrialist and philanthropist to build the library’s first independent building at 500 N. Oregon St
Died in 1946
Lleg贸 a El Paso en 1884
Maestra de las escuelas p煤blicas por 32 years; renunci贸 en 1916
Fundadora de la Biblioteca P煤blica de El Paso
En 1894, con aproximadamente de 600-800 libros de su colecci贸n personal, inici贸 un club de lectura para sus estudiantes varones en un cuarto del el Hotel Sheldon en el centro de El Paso
Fu茅 la primera presidenta de la Asociaci贸n de Bibliotecas de El Paso
Aplic贸 para becas de apoyo financiero para mejorar y expander la biblioteca
En 1904, se le otorg贸 una beca de $35,000 d贸lares de parte de Andrew Carnegie, un industrialista y fil谩ntropo, para ayudar a la construcci贸n de un edificio independiente y propio de la biblioteca
Muri贸 en 1946
Mrs. Maud Durlin Sullivan 1870-1943
Collected mining books to create the Mining Reference Section
Expanded the library’s Art, Archeology, and History Collections
Increased library’s Music collection
Classification of United States Public Documents
Initiated the Mexican/Latin-American history and heritage collection
Learned to speak Spanish language
Expanded the Southwest collection
Received the Carnegie Art Reference set
President of the Texas Library Association from 1923-1925
In 1927 & 1932, traveled to Mexico City and Puerto Rico to study their libraries
Early recognized artists Tom Lea and Jose Cisneros
In 1935, represented the US at the International Congress of Librarians and Biographers in Spain
Wrote various articles, lectures, and speeches throughout her career
Wrote for The El Paso Times and El Paso Herald Post articles on libraries
Lectured art classes at the Art Study Club of the Woman’s Club of El Paso
Died in December 28, 1943
In 1962, inducted into the El Paso Historical Society’s Hall of Honor
Collect贸 materiales de miner铆a para la secci贸n metal煤rgica
Extendi贸 las colecciones de arte, arqueolog铆a, m煤sica, e historia de la biblioteca
Clasific贸 los documentos p煤blicos y federales de la naci贸n
Inici贸 la colecci贸n Historia y Herencia M茅xico/Latino-Americana
Aprendi贸 a hablar en espa帽ol
Extendi贸 la colecci贸n de libros y materiales de el suroeste
Recibi贸 el equipo de referencia Carnegie
Presidenta de la Asociaci贸n de Bibliotecas de Texas de 1923-1925
En 1927 & 1932, viaj贸 a la ciudad de M茅xico y Puerto Rico para estudiar sus respectivas bibliotecas
Reconoci贸 a los artistas Tom Lea y Jos茅 Cisneros
En 1935, represent贸 a los Estados Unidos en el Congreso Internacional de Bibliotecarios y Bi贸grafos en Espa帽a
Escribi贸 para El Paso Times y El Paso Herald Post sobre bibliotecas
Di贸 clases de arte en el Club de Estudio de Arte de El Club de Mujeres de El Paso
Muri贸 en Diciembre 28, 1943
En 1962, fu茅 inducida en el sal贸n de la fama de la Sociedad Hist贸rica de El Paso
1887-1902
Mandy was a veteran of the San Antonio street car system
Mandy was known for her stubborn streak than her timeliness
Mandy pulled a trolley across a wooden international bridge into Ju谩rez
Mandy never failed to haul the sole street car of the Village of El Paso
Women stopped Mandy to feed her; children played tag under and around her legs and pulled her tail
Mandy was slow to walk and trot
After riding and waiting for an hour or two, while still hauling passengers, Mandy felt asleep and took sound naps
Mandy was retired in 1902 when the new electric trolley was introduced
Mandy was sent to an irrigated pasture where she spent her last days
Mandy era una veterana de el sistema de transporte en San Antonio
Mandy era famosa por ser testaruda y lenta
Mandy transport贸 pasajeros en un camioncito de El Paso a Cd. Ju谩rez
Mandy nunca fall贸 en su cabalgata por la Villa de El Paso
Las mujeres la paraban para darle de comer mientras los ni帽os corr铆an y jubaban por en medio de sus patas
Despu茅s de cabalgar por una hora 贸 dos, Mandy tomaba una siesta mientras transportaba pasajeros
Mandy se retir贸 en 1902 cuando comenz贸 a operar el primer tranv铆a el茅ctrico
Mandy pas贸 sus 煤ltimos d铆as en un campo de pastura
Digital Ofrenda
from the Nation Museum of the American Latino to honor and celebrate the
lives lost tragically in the Texas communities of Uvalde, San Antonio and El
Paso.
Events and Programing in El Paso
El Paso Museum of Art
The theme for El Paso’s 2024 D铆a de los Muertos celebrations is Ra铆ces
Ancestrales/Ancestral Roots: a celebration of the diversity of our region’s
cultural heritage that transcends past and present, as well as geography.
The City of El Paso’s Museums and Cultural Affairs Department (MCAD)
presents Indigenous influences (both pre- and post-Columbian contact) of D铆a
de Los Muertos in our programming. MCAD programs, including those at the El
Paso Museum of Art, El Paso Museum of History, El Paso Museum of
Archaeology, and the Mexican American Cultural Center encourage the
community to reflect on their own ancestral roots by honoring the lives,
food, spirits, and traditions of their loved ones who have passed on.
Visit El Paso
Celebrate the heritage of the Borderland! Join us for D铆a de los Muertos
(Day of the Dead) on November 2, 2024, from 10 am to 2 pm. A vibrant
celebration honoring the lives of loved ones who have passed, D铆a de los
Muertos is celebrated by families throughout Mexico and Latin America and is
a chance to reflect on the delicate bridge between life and death.
More Information
Dia de los Muertos: Symbols and Traditions
Sugar Skull Instructions
Posts
You can view and purchase local art on display with their Quarterly Art
Exhibits in the Nestor A. Valencia Art Gallery. They also have a monthly "Coffee at the Trail."
Determination, courage, and patience led to the establishment of the
first public schools in the Mission Valley. The beginning of
education in the Mission Valley Region can be traced to 1807 when 65
children from the Mexican villages of Paso del Norte (modern-day
Ciudad Ju谩rez), Socorro, Ysleta, and San Elizario began attending
school in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The local Catholic missions also
served as an early source of education. According to the
Handbook of Texas, they were “designed to Christianize and domesticate
the Indians and to provide the rudiments of learning for the children
of garrison troops and Spanish colonists.” The first public
school in El Paso was organized in San Elizario in 1870 by Octavio
Ambrosio Larrazolo. The school was organized at the home of
Captain Gregorio N. Garcia now known as the Los Portales Museum and
Visitor Center. Another early public school in El Paso County was
formed in September of 1871 Alexander Martin’s Ranch in San Jose, tree
miles from Ysleta, with E.N. Ronquillo as teacher. In the 1880s,
the El Paso County school system was expanded beyond San Eli, Ysleta,
and Socorro. The first school was established in Clint in 1886 by
the women of the town. The first public school opened in Fabens
1905. Before WW1, Tornillo did not have a permanent public school
until 1916. This exhibit will take a look at the development of
public schools in the EL Paso Mission Valley and those who worked to
provide quality education in the El Paso Mission Valley.
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