Long Beach Historical Society celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

The Long Beach Historical Society, in partnership with the Long Beach Public Library, hosted an event on Sept. 24 to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, focusing on the Hispanic history within the Long Beach community.

“We celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month by organizing a panel of speakers and recording their stories,” said Jeanne Browne, the current president of the historical society. “Speakers from Circulo de la Hispanidad and the Latino Civic Association participated, and we hope to have even more contributors in the future.”

The speakers reflected on the contributions and experiences of the Hispanic community in Long Beach. This initiative is part of the Historical Society’s ongoing efforts to preserve and document the voices of those who have helped shape the city’s cultural heritage.

The panelists included Roger Romero Calvo, General Manager at Max Bialystok and Company; David Echeverria, a member of St. Mary of the Isle Church; Gil Bernardino, Founder and Executive Director of Circulo de la Hispanidad; Blanca Parra, Program Director at Circulo de la Hispanidad; Orlando Ariza, President of the Long Beach Latino Civic Association; and Nikki Fader, Vice President of the Long Beach Latino Civic Association.

“It was a great success and served as the kickoff for an ethnic, cultural, and historical series aimed at documenting the diversity of Long Beach’s history,” Browne said.

Following Hispanic Heritage Month, upcoming events will explore the histories of other ethnic groups in Long Beach. Irish history will be highlighted on Nov. 19, Jewish history will be discussed in January, and African American history will be featured in February.

In addition to celebrating cultural diversity, the historical society aims to engage residents in actively preserving and celebrating the city’s past. By recording and archiving these stories, the society hopes to ensure that the cultural contributions of all ethnic groups in Long Beach are recognized and remembered for future generations.

The Long Beach Historical and Preservation Society was founded in 1980 to educate the public about the rich history of Long Beach, as reflected in its architecture, culture, and social development. The Society has been awarded a permanent charter by the New York State Department of Education. It has earned National Register recognition from the U.S. Department of the Interior for its museum.

To learn more about the historical society and its upcoming events visit LongBeachHistoricalSociety.org.

For more information about the series or to learn how to get involved in the Historical Society’s cultural preservation initiatives, community members are encouraged to contact Aliza Hornblass of the Long Beach Public Library at 516-432-7201.