The Walsh-García Collection Exhibit

Please note: The collection exhibit will open to the public on Wednesday, September 9, 2026.

The Mexican Cultural Institute in Washington, D.C. is pleased to welcome the Walsh-García Collection, a remarkable collection of more than 450 books and materials offering a unique glimpse into one family’s longstanding relationship with Mexico, its history, and cultural heritage.

On June 18, 2026, Eugene Walsh García donated this remarkable library to the Mexican Cultural Institute. It began with Eugene's maternal grandfather, originally from Campeche, who started the collection with titles such as My Art, My Life by Diego Rivera and The Aztecs, People of the Sun by Alfonso Caso and even an 1898 first edition of one of the Maya dictionaries compiled during the colonial era of Mexico titled: Coordinación Alfabética de las Voces del Idioma Maya (Alphabetical Compilation of Maya Language Terms).

Next came Thomas F. Walsh, a Georgetown University professor and passionate admirer of Mexico, who on one of his trips met María de los Ángeles García Campos. From their union came Eugene, who today passes this legacy on to us. From studies of Mexican history and culture to publications exploring popular traditions and everyday life, the Walsh-García Collection reflects the richness and complexity of Mexico’s cultural heritage.

With its arrival at the Mexican Cultural Institute, the collection begins a new chapter. What was once a treasured family library can now become a resource for scholars, researchers, students, and members of the public, allowing new generations to explore the materials and stories preserved within it.

Ultimately, the Walsh-García Collection is a testament to the lasting power of cultural appreciation and a reflection on the ways in which a love for a country can be cultivated, preserved, and passed from one generation to the next.