In the program of graduates from the Connecticut Police Academy in 1975, Manuel (Manny) Reye’s name is listed. Manny was the second Latino to serve in New Britain, but it was not an easy accomplishment. In 1974 he had passed all of his tests to be…
In 2008 Manuel (Manny) Reyes received a Proclamation from the Mayor Timothy Stewart to honor his leadership in New Britain, Connecticut and the Puerto Rican Community. The proclamation highlighted his service in the U.S. Air force, Connecticut Army…
An interview with Manuel Reyes during the 2017 History Harvest in New Britain. Manuel provides contextual background to the items he brought to the Harvest.
At first glance, the Traditional Puerto Rican Dita is merely a bowl made from the dried-out shell of a coconut, yet the symbolism and memories it contains make it much more significant. As with the rest of the Americas, indigenous inhabitants…
Description:This object is a necklace, and originally the decoration on the front would have been carved into a rock or painted or drawn on a cave wall. In recent history, the Cemi symbols have been used as decorative pieces to represent the…
These are various newspaper clippings and photographs announcing the winner of the pageant to name the Queen of the Puerto Rican Festival. The pageant was held at the Puerto Rican Club in New Britain, CT, and the festival was held on Jul 16, 1988. A…
This 1990 Family Magazine article tells the story of the Saavedra family. It focuses on one of the matriarchs of the family, Inocenica Saavedra. She was 67 at the time that this article was written which would make her 94 today. Inocenica moved from…
These two photos were brought to the history harvest by Awilda Saavedra Reasco. The larger photo is of her wedding 29 years ago in 1988, and the smaller photo is of her daughter receiving her first communion in 2001 or 2002. Both occurred at St.…
This object is a newspaper article stating Professor Arnaldo Sierra of Central Connecticut State College Obtained Doctorate in Philosophy, 1973. In 1973, Professor Arnaldo Sierra of the Department of Language Central Connecticut state College, New…
This collection consists of a series of newspaper articles and fliers each with importance regarding the Latino community in New Britain starting in the late 80s and ending in the late 90s. A 1988 report by H. C. Chung of the University of Bridgeport…
A Güiro is an instrument used in traditional Puerto Rican music. It is a notched hollowed-out gourd, which produces music by dragging a wooden stick-like object, commonly known as a scrapper, or more formally called a “pua,” on the rigids on the…
Two square plastic CDs covered in images of Puerto Rican landscape Both contain images of Rafael Resto on the front Music in Puerto Rican culture is a big cultural identifier. Visible change is seen in the musical culture as it shifts from…