MIAMI, United States. – The Cuban Heritage Collection (Cuban Heritage Collection, in Spanish) at the University of Miami houses the largest repository of materials on Cuba outside the Island and the most comprehensive collection on the history of Cuban exile and the global experience of the Cuban diaspora.
Although the collection began to acquire funds from the very foundation of the University of Miami, it was not until the 1980s that it was established as the Cuban Heritage Collection. Its existence and merit is largely due to the Cuban librarians Gladys Gómez, Rosa Abella, Ana Rosa Núñez, Lesbia Orta Varona and Esperanza Bravo de Varona (recently deceased).
Thanks to the Cuban Heritage Collection (CHC), researchers, students, and visitors from around the world can explore and discover an ever-expanding range of information. Materials available to you include published works such as rare and contemporary books, magazines, artists’ books, and newspapers; as well as archival materials such as personal documents, organizational records, correspondence, manuscripts, photographs, maps, and audiovisual and digital content.
The oldest document in the collection is a 1552 work by the Dominican friar Bartolomé de las Casas.
The CHC is part of the Ricardo Pau-Llosa Library of the University of Miami, which, in turn, is one of the most recognized university libraries in the United States. your mission is to support research and teaching on the history and culture of Cuba and its diasporas through the preservation and promotion of unique and rare primary and secondary sources.
In addition to the preservation of historical documents, the CHC is also dedicated to promoting Cuban culture through exhibitions, conferences, film screenings, and other cultural events. Over the years, it has hosted important exhibitions such as “Cuba: Picturing Change” and “Promising Paradise: Cuban Allure, American Seduction”.
The CHC also has a special focus on the Cuban diaspora, with a specific collection focusing on Cuban exiles and their contributions to American culture, politics, and society. This collection includes personal files, organizational documents, photographs, and oral recordings that document the experiences of Cubans in exile.
The Cuban Heritage Collection is an invaluable resource for people interested in Cuban history and culture. Through the preservation and promotion of its valuable holdings, the Collection helps ensure that Cuban heritage remains accessible and relevant for future generations.
