Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – As part of the official celebration of Puerto Vallarta’s 108th anniversary as a municipality and 58th anniversary as a city, local authorities have announced Puerto: Archivo y Memoria, (Puerto: Archive and Memory) a cultural event dedicated to preserving and sharing the documents, photographs, and records that tell the story of the city’s past.
The event will take place on Friday, May 29, 2026, at 6:00 pm in the central courtyard of the Municipal Palace. Organized by the Office of Municipal Chronicle and City Memory together with the Municipal Archives Department, the program aims to highlight the importance of safeguarding Puerto Vallarta’s documentary heritage for future generations.
During the presentation of the event, city chronicler Moisés Hernández López explained that much of Puerto Vallarta’s early history has survived through oral tradition due to the limited availability of municipal historical archives. He noted that Puerto: Archivo y Memoria seeks to reconnect residents with the city’s roots through lectures, historical exhibitions, and public discussion focused on preserving local memory.
Attendees will have the opportunity to explore an exhibition featuring original manuscripts and replicas that trace Puerto Vallarta’s institutional and social development from its days as Las Peñas to the internationally recognized destination it is today. Previously unpublished documents, maps, architectural plans, and historical photographs recovered by the Municipal Archive and collaborating institutions will also be displayed.
According to Grace Kelly Ávila Peña, the Municipal Archives Department is actively working to strengthen preservation efforts and establish the foundation for a future Municipal Historical Archive. She emphasized the need for expanded facilities to properly protect the city’s growing documentary collection and acknowledged the support of Mayor Luis Munguía in advancing projects tied to preserving Puerto Vallarta’s historical identity.
The event will also include the presentation of the second annual “Maestro Carlos Munguía Fregoso” Recognition, an award honoring citizens and institutions committed to protecting and promoting the region’s collective memory. Organizers say the distinction is intended to strengthen collaboration between historians, researchers, archives, media organizations, and the community.
Specialists in history and archival studies from Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara, Zapopan, and the General Archive of the State of Jalisco are expected to participate in the program, creating an opportunity for dialogue about the value of historical preservation and access to public records.
By opening these archives to the public, Puerto: Archive and Memory aims to transform historical documents into living resources that inspire research, education, and community pride while helping preserve the stories that shaped Puerto Vallarta over the past century.
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