Latin American & Caribbean Digital Initiatives

A timeline of events that explore the reasons behind the immigration of Cubans to Florida from the 16th to the 21st century, the pressure that such immigration brought to local and state governments, the reactions of Floridian communities to Cuban immigrants, the ways in which Cuban immigrants adapted to their new reality, and the contribution of Cuban immigration to Florida. Curated by Margarita Vargas-Betancourt, Katiana Bagué, and Alexis Baldacci at the University of Florida

The Haitian American Dream examines the events and the forgotten stories of Haitian immigrants in the United States. In so doing, it explains the reasons behind the different waves of Haitian migration, its ongoing impacts, and upheavals so that, as Michel-Rolph Trouillot states, the stories of “the actors who participate in the production of history or any of the sites where that production” transpired are told. Curated by Alexandra Cenatus, Ivanna Moreno, and Margarita Vargas-Betancourt at the University of Florida

The tumultuous political history of Puerto Rico between 1936 and 1939 as reported through the newspaper El Mundo.
This exhibition is a collaboration between the University of Puerto Rico Libraries, the George A. Smathers Libraries, the Digital Library of the Caribbean (dLOC), and the Latin American Research Resources Project (LARRP).

Jamaican Interlude About Face which is only available online, celebrates Jamaica’s 50th Anniversary of Independence by revisiting the country’s first post-independence exhibition to tour Europe. Curated by Dr. Petrine Archer and Claudia Hucke, designed by Lourdes Santamaría-Wheeler. Funding provided by the George Smathers Libraries Mini Grant Program

The Expression and Legacy of Landownership in Mexico explores documents and maps from the Luis Pimentel Collection. The collection, shows transactions of ownership and management of sugar mills in Mexico in the state of Morelos, and in other haciendas in the state of Puebla from the 16th to the 20th century. Exhibit curated and designed by Katiana Bagué, under the supervision of Margarita Vargas-Betancourt

The Panama Canal and its surroundings were historically the source of tension between the United States and Panama. This exhibit looks at the sources of tension and examines events that led to the transfer of the Canal in 1999. Curated by Elizabeth A. Bouton, John Nemmers, and Lourdes Santamaría-Wheeler with assistance from Elizabeth Bemis at the University of Florida

An exhibition of food and community identity during the American Era of the Panama Canal Zone. Served in the Zone features photographs, artifacts, and ephemera paired with memories from former Canal Zone residents to illustrate their impact.

An exhibition that explores the role of scouting in the lives of Panama Canal Zone residents as told in their own words.
Based on the physical exhibit curated by Sarah Marek, with assistance from Jessica Marcetti and Lourdes Santamaría-Wheeler. Online exhibit curation and design: Lauren O'Neill

One hundred years after the opening of the Panama Canal, the University of Florida celebrates this monumental achievement, reflecting on the Canal's history, analyzing its impact, and honoring those who made it possible. This online exhibition is based on the Panama Canal Centennial exhibitions that were organized by the George A. Smathers Libraries to celebrate the centennial of the opening of the Panama Canal.

Pioneering Bilingualism | Bilingüismo Pionero is a bilingual exhibit celebrating the story of Coral Way Elementary. In 1963, Miami, Florida's Spanish-speaking immigrant community was growing. In response, Coral Way Elementary became the first publicly-funded dual language two-way immersion program in the United States. This online exhibition is based on the exhibition of the same name that was presented at the University of Florida George A. Smathers Libraries. Curated by Brittany Kester and Pia Molina | Designed by Lourdes Santamaría-Wheeler