Gente Sin Fronteras - People without Borders

The West End of the Olympic Peninsula is one of diverse cultures. Over the last 25 years, Forks has seen a new group of immigrants come to the area and shape the culture here. Individuals and families from Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador have been moving to the peninsula in search of opportunities for work and education.

The stories and photos in this exhibit document the rich culture and history of Latinos in Forks. It is only a small representation of the influence Latinos have had on the area. This influence can be seen any evening in the grocery store, any morning at the gas stations, and any day in local schools, seeing numerous people making Forks their home.

Latinos are a strong part of the community in Forks. There has been much intertwining of the American and Latino cultures, with many locals learning Spanish and the growth of English as a Second Language classes in the community. On Saturday nights, Spanish music groups play music until late in the evening with many people, Latino and non-Latino, dancing the night away. Celebrations for Cinco de Mayo and Mexican Independence Day happen almost every year.

Immigrants to Forks have always shaped the community immensely throughout the area's history. The latest group to do so are immigrants from Latin America.

We would like to thank these people and organizations for their support and contributions in making this exhibit possible.