The Webb County Heritage Foundation celebrates the 263rd anniversary of Laredo’s founding with its annual Founders’ Day luncheon honoring the descendants of founder, Don Tomás Sánchez, and all the founding families of this historic community. The celebration, which is set for Saturday, May 19, 2018 at noon at the Laredo Center for the Arts, is open to the public and all descendants of founding families as well as all friends of preservation are cordially invited to attend.
This year, the Foundation will pay special tribute to three of the City’s historic construction businesses, and will also inaugurate this year’s President of the Republic of the Rio Grande, Ike Epstein.
Epstein was selected for his personal commitment to serving and growing the building industry in the region. He will be inaugurated at the Founders’ Day luncheon and present his cabinet that day.
The Foundation’s annual presentation of Heritage Awards will honor those individuals and organizations that have shown outstanding commitment to preserving our community’s history and heritage. The program also includes the annual membership meeting of the WCHF.
Villarreal Electric Co., Inc. — which celebrates serving the community for over 80 years — is the recipient of the Historic Business Award.
Other awardees include the City of Laredo, KLRN-TV, and Texas A&M International University — recipients of the Luciano Guajardo Award — for their collaboration in creating the Emmy-award winning documentary video Rhapsody on the Río.
Barbara Gonzalez Cigarroa will receive the Jim Parish Award for Documentation and Publication of Local and Regional History for her new book, A Mexican Dream and Other Compositions. The Preservation of Folklore, Customs, and Traditions Award will be presented to dance educator Gabriela Mendoza-García for her work in preserving folk dancing traditions. The Elizabeth Gill and Sam Johnson III Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Dr. Jerry Thompson for his lifetime work in chronicling and promoting Laredo’s history.
The City of Laredo’s Utilities Department will receive the Environmental Preservation Award for the creation of the new Laredo Water Museum.
The Webb County Heritage Foundation is proud to present these worthy recipients with a Heritage Award in recognition of their services in preserving this region’s history, architecture, and cultural heritage.
Complimentary valet parking will be available outside the Laredo Center for the Arts at 500 San Agustín Avenue.
Tickets for the luncheon can be obtained by calling the Foundation office at (956) 727-0977 or by email at heritage@webbheritage.org. To reserve tables of 10, please stop by the WCHF office Mondays – Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Corporate sponsorship opportunities are available.
Hello friends n love ones our family started this town of Laredo we as family came from the youngest daughter Rebecca of his first marriage! We are very proud to know n happy that you are holding this function on the 19 of may! I believe MR.Thompson has been very good at putting out literature about our ancestors! But when it comes to MR.Epstein I don’t know if he should get a title since he sold his products to the community n I don’t see how he promoted laredo besides selling his products to the public! So that’s upon you all promoting organizations that charged for anything they did for the city! BUT THE FACT IS THE MISSION OF TOMAS SANCHEZ HAS BEEN A SECRET THAT MY FAMILY HAS KEPT AND WILL KEEP FOREVER! THANK YOU FOR PROMOTING LAREDO AND MY ANCESTORS🇺🇸⚓️🗽