Be a Part of El Paso History!!

Downtown El Paso (Plaza in center back) around 1890s
Photo: Collection of the El Paso County Historical Society

Event: El Paso History Summit.
When: March 16, 2013
Time: Noon to 6 p.m.
Where: 1340 Murchison
Scenic View Ballroom of the First Presbyterian Church (near Brown St.) This free event is open to the public and is hosted by the El Paso History Radio Show, El Paso County Historical Commission, El Paso Mission Trail Association, and El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro Trail Association (CARTA). The El Paso History Summit is an opportunity for El Pasoans to help define what El Paso history is and how it should be preserved. Event organizers will use participants’ feedback to better promote heritage tourism for the Paso del Norte region.

Bring up to 10 photos that are at least 25 years old and have all persons identified, if possible, as well as the date and place. Photos are to be scanned onsite and returned back to the owners. The goal is to include all these photos on the interactive Digital Wall that will be installed at the El Paso Museum of History.

The summit will also kick off the “I Am El Paso” campaign, where the public can video record a 1-2 minute message that identifies themselves to the El Paso area. There will be a Town Hall meeting on El Paso history with special invited guests state Senator Jose Rodriguez and El Paso County Historical Commission chairman, Bernie Sargent. The Town Hall will be moderated by hosts of "The El Paso History Radio Show," Jackson Polk and Melissa Sargent.

Other events include screenings of local documentaries, such as, “El Paso’s Mission Trails” and the world premiere of segments from Capstone Productions’ latest documentary, "The Last Tour of theEl Paso Smelter." After three years of filming the demolition of the former Asarco site, the first installment of the El Paso Smelter documentary series covers the history and construction of one of the world’s tallest smokestacks.

Be a part of the first El Paso History Summit by sharing your history of El Paso with the community and help promote our diverse cultural identity. There will also be giveaways and other door prizes throughout the day.