Library starts local Hispanic history project

On Cinco de Mayo – Tuesday, May 5 – the Atlantic City Free Public Library launched a project to collect the history of the Hispanic community in Atlantic City. Through this project, the library is looking to develop a collection of materials which future generations of students, writers and genealogists can use to script a community history.
The library encourages members of the public to donate or lend their Atlantic City photographs, restaurant menus, traditional costumes from their countries, and more. All of these will be considered to be included in an exhibit planned for this fall in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.
Working with Dr. Merydawilda Colón, Executive Director of Stockton Center for Community Engagement, a community panel will help to curate the exhibit. Library archivist Heather Pérez will coordinate the project.
In addition, the library will interview members of the Hispanic community, encouraging them to “Share Your Story.” These oral history interviews will play an important part in recording the community’s history for the future.
“Every group has a history and a story to tell,” Perez said. “When did the first Hispanic residents move to Atlantic City? Why did they choose Atlantic City? We feel that it is important to help record and preserve that history for our Atlantic City residents. This is part of a bigger story – the Atlantic City Experience.”