Puerto Ricans in Central Florida are focus of traveling exhibit

The bilingual exhibit, "Restoring Community History: Puerto Ricans in Central Florida," will open this week at SUNY Fredonia's Reed Library as well as at the Adams Art Gallery in downtown Dunkirk.

 

 

The bilingual panels, pictures and DVDs summarize the history of Puerto Ricans who arrived to Central Florida not only because of military bases and agriculture, but also for the NASA Engineers program and other commercial reasons. The exhibit also depicts the formal and informal organizations established to provide support services to the incoming Puerto Rican families.

 

The opening ceremonies will include a presentation by Dr. Patricia Silver, the director of the project and exhibit. Opening ceremonies on campus will be Thursday, March 25 at 4:30 p.m. in the Japanese Garden area of Reed Library followed by a reception, and view of the exhibit. Opening ceremonies at the Adam's Art Gallery will be Friday, March 26 at 6:00 p.m. Both events are open to the public.

 

 What began as a scholarly project for Dr. Silver soon came to the attention of several local organizations such as the Orange County Regional History Center and the Florida Humanities Council. They were willing to provide funds as long as the project would have a public service component including the exhibit at local libraries and the development of digital archives for the historical association. The exhibit brings to life the richness of Puerto Rican history and culture.

 

For more information, please contact Professor Carmen Rivera in Modern Languages department at SUNY Fredonia.