An unidentified man, Governor Dukakis (center), and Jorge Hernandez (right) pose for a picture during the opening of the Villa Victoria Cultural Center.

1986

The opening of the Villa Victoria Cultural Center was celebrated with music and speeches. Governor Dukakis stands with an unidentified man on his right and Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción's Executive Director Jorge N. Hernandez on his left. Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción, led by Hernandez, purchased a former church on West Newton Street in Boston's South End and renovated it into a cultural center and performing arts venue for the city's Hispanic community. The Villa Victoria Cultural Center opened in 1986. It was renamed the Jorge N. Hernandez Cultural Center in honor of Hernandez, whose funeral was held in the newly refurbished space just a few weeks after the inaugural ceremony.