The Newberry Library was delighted to host Re-Construction of Mexico-Tenochtitlan, a scale model of the capital city of the Aztecs, researched, designed and constructed by the students of McKinley Park School.
McKinley Park School’s scale model reconstructs the magnificent imperial city Mexico-Tenochtitlan as it was in 1519, when Hernán Cortés arrived with his Spanish forces. 
The island city of Tenochtitlan, surrounded by Lake Texcoco, was five miles square. The model shows the city in its entirety, including the famed pyramid district, palaces, gardens, fountains, the royal zoo, the public market, the floating islands where people lived and farmed, and the aqueduct that brought fresh water to the city. The model was built using clay and tempera paint, and other readily accessible materials, on a plywood structure.
The McKinley Park School began this project during the 2004-2005 school year, under the direction of Alejandro Ferrer, and with the support of school principal, Frances García. By the time of the model’s completion five months later, students from grades four through eight, school parents, teachers, and administrators had contributed to project.
The Newberry Library and the McKinley Park School would like to thank the following for their participation and support:
Office of the Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn • McKinley Park School parents; and staff Frances García, Alejandro Ferrer, Ana Romero and Veronica Herrera • Farragut High School-Frank Valadez • Currie High School teacher Wendy Hynes; and students Jeremy Gonzalez and Rogelio Rodriguez • Alderman George Cardenas • Carlos Manuel Sada Solana, Consul General of Mexico in Chicago • Don Pedro Restaurant • Arquitectos • Father Marco at Our Lady of Fatima
Exhibit Opening/Media Event
Monday, November 20, 2006
McKinley Park Elementary School administrators, Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn, the Newberry Library celebrated the opening of Re-Construction of Mexico-Tenochtitlan, a scale model of the capital city of the Aztecs researched, designed and constructed by the students of McKinley Park School. McKinley students performed traditional Aztec dances in costume, and McKinley School leaders described how the project came together with collaboration of students, parents, and teachers. An informal question and answer period followed the program.