Since 1980, the Webb County Heritage Foundation (WCHF) has worked to preserve, promote, and share the history and heritage of Webb County and the border region through historic preservation, heritage education, and heritage tourism.

The Webb County Heritage Foundation operates the Republic of the Rio Grande® Museum and the Villa Antigua® Border Heritage Museum, offering visitors and residents opportunities to explore the people, places, and stories that have shaped our community. Through museums, exhibits, educational programs, guided tours, publications, public events, archival resources, and digital media initiatives, the Foundation connects audiences of all ages with the rich cultural heritage of South Texas.

As a leading advocate for heritage tourism in the region, the WCHF develops educational materials, walking tours, and interpretive resources that help residents and visitors discover Webb County's unique history. The organization also collaborates with local, state, and national partners to advance historic preservation and promote appreciation for the architecture, traditions, customs, folklore, and ranching heritage of the borderlands.

The WCHF's educational and interpretive programs have received state and national recognition. In 2022, the WCHF received the Dance Studies Association Award for Dance in the Public Sphere for the History and Folklore video series, produced in collaboration with Dr. Gabriela Mendoza-Garcia and the Gabriela Mendoza-Garcia Ballet Folklórico. In 2026, the Texas Association of Museums honored the WCHF with two Mitchell A. Wilder Publication Design Awards: a Gold Award for its Junior Curator program and a Bronze Award for The Year We Shared: 2025 annual report.