SAN BENITO — Luis Contreras wants to turn precious pieces of the city’s past into a living, breathing museum.
Last week, Contreras took over as the city’s museum coordinator, charged with designing and overseeing the San Benito Cultural Heritage Museum.
“It’s very exciting to me,” Contreras said yesterday. “It fuels my passion. There’s so much to work with.”
Contreras was hired through the city’s Economic Development Corporation at a salary of $50,000.
The city’s $1.7 million project to build 6,932-square-foot museum complex off Heywood Street is expected to be complete in early September.
The museum will house the Freddy Fender Museum, the Texas Conjunto Hall of Fame and Museum and the San Benito History Museum.
“I think that’s what makes San Benito so unique — it’s historical and musical culture,” Contreras said. “You have different elements in one museum. This is the first time I’ve ever worked with three initiatives under one roof. They can promote each other.”
Contreras said he plans to make the museum a tourist draw.
“This will be a destination,” he said. “Museums are more than just institutions and venues for entertainment. They are components that contribute to the local economy.”
Since 2008, the three museums have shared a 1,000-square-foot space in the city’s Community Building.
“With what I have seen thus far, these organizations are established to a point where they’re excellent resources for the community,” Contreras said. “I would like the opportunity to enhance their importance to the community.”
It’s not the first time Contreras has designed a museum.
In 2009, he designed the Weslaco Museum while serving as its director.
Contreras, who has served on the faculty of South Texas College, has also worked as curator of the Mission Historical Museum.
“Things I strive for are moments to use my creativity,” he said. “This is one of those opportunities.”
Contreras said he is meeting with the city’s museum board, made up of founders of the three museums.
“They are going to have that vision,” he said. “Everybody’s ideas are important. Teamwork is the key to a lot of these projects.”
Next, he plans to work with the board to develop the museum’s strategic plan — “what this new museum will provide the community.”
“I will guide them but I’ll lead from behind,” he said. “I will consider their ideas and come up with one plan.”
Contreras plans to develop an interactive museum.
“Museums today are strictly participatory,” he said. “Hands-on is important. My philosophy is museums are an experience — there’s an engagement.”
Among the museum’s artifacts are the legendary Ideal recording studio’s record presses.
Contreras suggested displaying a record press while turning another into an interactive exhibit, with photographs capturing visitors’ experiences.
“Create photo opportunities — creating your own history, creating your own memory,” he said. “It also serves as an advertisement.”
The city’s museum helps preserve the rich history born along the Texas-Mexico border, he said.
“These organizations do not belong to us,” Contreras said. “They belong to the community — community members and tourists.”
• Executive member of the Texas Association of Museums
• Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Texas-Pan American
• Master of Fine Arts degree from Ohio State University
