Eclectic Collection Showcases Cuban History and Culture
Happy Hispanic Heritage Month

09/15/21

By: I. S.

Miami is made up of a big mix of different people from all over the world, including immigrants from Russia, France, Haiti, Mexico, Argentina, Guatemala and the like.

One group that has had a big impact on Miami’s growth and evolution is the Cuban community. Cuban-born immigrants make up over 25 percent of Miami-Dade County’s population. If we include those born in the U.S. with Cuban heritage, that number goes up to around 40 percent. As part of its efforts to be inclusive, the Miami-Dade Public Library System has collected lots of books, photographs, memorabilia and other materials that speak to the diversity of this community’s experiences.

To help celebrate, Hispanic Heritage Month, Digital Collections is highlighting the Cuban Memorabilia collection.

The Queen of Salsa (Celia Cruz!)
Alexis Rodriguez-Duarte & Tico Torres
1994
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The items currently in the collection include photographs such as the ones below by physician and photographer, Roberto Machado.

Limpiabotas
Roberto Machado
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Casas de apartamentos
Roberto Machado
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El Capitolio
Roberto Machado
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Also in the collection, are maps, prints and a variety of other interesting artifacts.

Santiago de Cuba
Antonio Carbajo
1990
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Untitled
Agustín Fernández
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Untitled
Agustín Fernández
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Take a look at some old Cuban social and telephone directories.

Directorio social de la Habana – 1950
De Castro, Augusto [Editor]
1949
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Directorio telefónico de La Habana - 1958
Cuban Telephone Company
1958
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Or how about this curious little book from Sloppy Joe’s Bar in Havana that contains interesting cocktail recipes.

Sloppy Joe's cocktails manual (cover & page 39)
Sloppy Joe's
1935
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