Wednesday, October 30, 2024

Ofrenda

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.

Front of Ofrenda


Back of Ofrenda


Papel Picado
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.
Cempasúchitl (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 llegó a El Paso desde 2010.  

Trabajó como director de la biblioteca pública de El Paso por varios años hasta su retiro en 2019.  Pumphrey fué clave instrumental en la educación para adultos y programas de alfabetización, los cuales contribuyeron para el desarrollo económico de la ciudad de El Paso.

En 2014 creó el programa de preparatoria en línea

En 2018, ayudó a crear el Centro de Alfabetización y Carreras, conocido en inglés como WorkPLACE (Public Literacy Access to Careers and Entrepreneurship) 

En 2017, mientras servía como director interino de las bibliotecas, gracias a él y a otros factores, la Biblioteca Pública de El Paso recibió el premio 2017 de Excelencia Bibliotecaria por parte de la Asociación 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 expasión de la biblioteca principal en 2004

En el 2002, bajo su dirección, la bilbioteca introdujo su primer catálogo in línea - SOS (Service-On-Line)

Miembro activo de la Sociedad Americana de Bibliotecas, La Asociación de Bibliotecas de Texas (TLA), Associación (BRLA), Grupo Regional de Archivos de la Frontera (BRAG), REFORMA, Asociación de Administración de Bibliotecas, OCLC Comité de Consejo para Catálogos

Se certificó en Control de Archivos y Preservación de Papel y más

Jim falleció 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 ficción relacionados a el suroeste de Texas

Coordinaba la colección de el suroeste de la biblioteca

Sirvió como directora interina de la biblioteca pública de El Paso por varios años

Miembra active de la Asociación Fronteriza Regional de las Bibliotecas 

Editora y escritora

Columnista para el periódico de El Paso Times en la sección Border Books  

Miembra active de la Comisión Histórica de el condado de El Paso 

Creó el Centro de la Herencia Fronteriza 

Inició los premios literarios de Asociación Fronteriza Regional de las Bibliotecas 

Abogó porque se reconocieran los edificios diseñados por el arquitecto Henry Trost en el centro de El Paso, como parte de el Registro Nacional de Lugares Históricos

Autora de el libro “Photographs from the Border” publicado por La Asociación de Bibliotecas en 1977 Se retiró de la biblioteca en 1997

Se retiró 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 Histórica de El Paso

Líder de la Division Regional de los estados de la región suroeste

Directora de la biblioteca pública de El Paso en 1945

Mobilizó campañas por fondos para construir una nueva biblioteca con semblanza suroeste, otros programas, y la biblioteca rodante

Asistió a historiadores y estudiantes

Presidenta de la Asociación de el Suroeste y de la Asociación Bibliotecaria Americana 

Se retiró 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

Llegó a El Paso en 1884

Maestra de las escuelas públicas por 32 years; renunció en 1916

Fundadora de la Biblioteca Pública de El Paso

En 1894, con aproximadamente de 600-800 libros de su colección personal, inició un club de lectura para sus estudiantes varones en un cuarto del el Hotel Sheldon en el centro de El Paso 

Fué la primera presidenta de la Asociación de Bibliotecas de El Paso

Aplicó para becas de apoyo financiero para mejorar y expander la biblioteca

En 1904, se le otorgó una beca de $35,000 dólares de parte de Andrew Carnegie, un industrialista y filántropo, para ayudar a la construcción de un edificio independiente y propio de la biblioteca

Murió 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

Collectó materiales de minería para la sección metalúrgica 

Extendió las colecciones de arte, arqueología, música, e historia de la biblioteca 

Clasificó los documentos públicos y federales de la nación

Inició la colección Historia y Herencia México/Latino-Americana 

Aprendió a hablar en español

Extendió la colección de libros y materiales de el suroeste

Recibió el equipo de referencia Carnegie

Presidenta de la Asociación de Bibliotecas de Texas de 1923-1925

En 1927 & 1932, viajó a la ciudad de México y Puerto Rico para estudiar sus respectivas bibliotecas

Reconoció a los artistas Tom Lea y José Cisneros

En 1935, representó a los Estados Unidos en el Congreso Internacional de Bibliotecarios y Biógrafos en España

Escribió para El Paso Times y El Paso Herald Post sobre bibliotecas 

Dió clases de arte en el Club de Estudio de Arte de El Club de Mujeres de El Paso

Murió en Diciembre 28, 1943

En 1962, fué inducida en el salón de la fama de la Sociedad Histórica de El Paso 

Mandy the Mule - La Mula
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 Juárez

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 transportó pasajeros en un camioncito de El Paso a Cd. Juárez

Mandy nunca falló en su cabalgata por la Villa de El Paso

Las mujeres la paraban para darle de comer mientras los niños corrían y jubaban por en medio de sus patas

Después de cabalgar por una hora ó dos, Mandy tomaba una siesta mientras transportaba pasajeros

Mandy se retiró en 1902 cuando comenzó a operar el primer tranvía eléctrico

Mandy pasó sus últimos días 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 Día de los Muertos celebrations is Raíces 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 Día 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 Día 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, Día 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





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