Page 34 Rio Grande Valley Visitors Guide 2023-2024 Donna Historical Museum Located in the historical Donna News Building at 129 S. 8th St. the Donna Historical Museum, named for the daughter of one of Donna’s founders, has memorabilia of early pioneer days in Donna. The museum is open Tuesdays through Fridays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Saturdays 9 a.m. to noon. Closed for lunch noon to 1 p.m., Tuesdays through Fridays. Admission is free, although donations are welcome. For more information, contact the museum at (956) 464-9989. Villa de Cortez Those who love to visit old buildings and get a feel for the past should be sure and stop by the renovated Villa de Cortez. The facility is now open with the old hotel lobby, a gift shop, barbershop, and children’s bookstore. There is also Jose’s Cafecito Mexican Restaurant. Built in 1928, the building now includes a restored ballroom, which can be rented for group events. Tours are also available. The hotel is located on the corner of Business 83 and Texas Blvd. in Weslaco. For information on the building or to book an event, call (956) 969-3100 or visit www.villadecortezweslaco. com. Weslaco Museum The Weslaco Museum features art and/ or historical exhibits monthly in the Gallery. A collection of historical artifacts from the early years of Weslaco and surrounding Rio Grande Valley areas are on permanent exhibit in the static portion of the museum. The historical exhibits feature information about the history of the families who settled in Weslaco and the Rio Grande Valley. There is an extensive collection of artifacts from early businesses and tools used by homesteaders in the area. Special items include a 1904 Cannon safe used in Weslaco’s first bank, and an oxen cart used to haul salt from El Sal del Rey. Other areas of the museum include a dedication to the Texsun Juice plant and the agriculture that helped to grow the area. The museum also pays tribute to many local veterans, such as Harlon Block. Block was a hometown young man who was immortalized in a Pulitzer Prize-winning photo taken by war correspondent Joe Rosenthal of the flag raising on the Pacific Island of Iwo Jima during World War II. Block was one of six who raised the American flag, he is the man crouched to place the flag and is depicted at the Iwo Jima statue in Harlingen. The Weslaco Museum, located at 500 S. Texas Blvd, is open Tuesdays through Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information and a list of upcoming events contact the museum at (956) 968-9142, visit www.weslacomuseum.org, or follow on Facebook. Weslaco Visitors Center Visit Weslaco! Stop by the Weslaco Visitors Center for information on where to shop, eat, and stay in Weslaco! During your visit you are invited to sit, relax, and watch one of the historical films, from local sugar cane production in the RGV to historical ranches of South Texas. The Center is located at 275 S. Kansas Ave., Suite B. Call (956) 968-2102 for more information. Delta Lake Park Hidalgo County Commissioner David L. Fuentes invites you to Delta Lake Park. Located in eastern Hidalgo County, this park has a pavilion, barbecue facilities, and picnic tables along the lake shore. It is a perfect place for birdwatchers to spend a day watching the water
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