Rieles y Raíces: : Traqueros in Chicago and the Midwest
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Over a century has passed since the first wave of Mexican immigrants arrived in Chicago–many were directly recruited by railroad companies to work in Chicago’s rapidly growing industrial sector that put Chicago on the map. However, the history of Mexican and Mexican-American traqueros (railroad workers) in the Midwest remains overlooked. Through a community collection process and archival research, the exhibition Rieles y Raíces (tracks and roots) aims to tell the history of traqueros and the communities they built, often along the rieles they worked on.
The National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago is seeking artifacts for Rieles y Raíces: Traqueros in Chicago and the Midwest, an upcoming exhibition (Fall 2025) on Mexican and Mexican American Rail Workers in the United States. We are particularly interested in photographs, documents, tools, clothing, or personal artifacts from the 20th century that can help tell the story of the traqueros' lives and experiences in the United States, with an emphasis on the Midwest. If you have an artifact that you believe is relevant, please submit a photo and the information requested below. The exhibition researchers will review all submissions and contact you directly if they need additional information or would like to include your artifact in the exhibition.
Submit an image of your artifact here.
Please do not mail or bring original artifacts in person. The museum cannot accept artifacts by mail or in person without first speaking with you. If you have any questions regarding this project, please email visualarts@nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org.
Curated by Ismael Cuevas, M.A.and Alejandro Benavides, Ph.D.