Wow! That Oughta Be In a Museum!

Crazy?

It can invigorate them and fill their lives with purpose, but collecting also can become an obsession.

Louis Mendoza of Garden City jokes about the craziness of collectors. He compares his search for new objects to an Easter-egg hunt.

Mexican folk art and local fiesta items are Louis' main interests. He visits Mexico on collecting trips. A recent influx of Hispanics into Garden City has made it easier to find these items at local garage sales.

Louis and his wife are dedicated to sharing their collections with their community. They loan pieces to schools for educational programs. Louis donates pieces to the Finney County Historical Society. When he retires he plans to donate the entire collection to a museum.

"Collectors are kind of weird people, you know. We start collecting one thing, and pretty soon we are collecting another, and then another, and then . . . you just don't know when to stop. And you run out of money!"

Pictured above, Louis Mendoza with his collection of Mexican folk art on temporary exhibit at the Finney County Historical Society Museum in Garden City.

Continue the virtual tour.