Reexamine what you know about U.S. history by learning more about Latino identity, immigration, historical legacies, and how Latinas and Latinos have shaped the nation. Listen to first-person oral histories, examine 3D objects, dive into historical biographies, and explore some of the objects found in the exhibition to see how the past relates to the present.
Explore the "¡Presente!” exhibition in the Molina Family Latino Gallery as it looked when it first opened to the public. Since June 2022, we have rotated objects in the cases and welcomed visitors from across the United States and the world. Virtually experience for yourself "¡Presente! A Latino History of the United States".
Inditas Dance Regalia. Delilah and Chavela Trujillo (Abiquiú Pueblo), Abiquiú, New Mexico, 2021.
Tortuguita. Jesús Barraza, 2017. Courtesy of Jesús Barraza
The History of Mexico; The Great City of Tenochtitlan (detail). Diego Rivera, 1945. Courtesy of Diego Rivera, Palacio Nacional mural, Mexico City, 1945
Puerto Rico (inferred), 1200–1500 CE. Loan from the National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution (23/6097)
Mexico, 400–800 CE. Loan from the National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution (23/2216)
Costa Rica, 800–1200 CE. Loan from the National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution (22/8837)
Mexico, 1150–1521 CE. Loan from the National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution (17/7363)
Peru, 1100–1600 CE. Loan from the National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution (11/1359)
Gravure “Indiens timucua,” from Indorum Floridam provinciam inhabitantium eicones. Engravings published by Theodor de Bry, after watercolors made by Jacques Le Moyne de Morgues, 1591 CE. Courtesy of CCI / Bridgeman Images
De Chino, e India, Genízara (From Chino and India, Genízara). Francisco Clapera, Mexico, around 1775. Courtesy of Denver Art Museum: Gift of Frederick and Jan Mayer, 2011.428.14
Odesi. Manny Vega, 1990. Loan from Manny Vega
Dance of native Californians at San Francisco de Assis Mission, California. Ludwig Choris, 1816. Courtesy of UC Berkeley, Bancroft Library [1963.002:1312-FR]
Coatlaxopeuh-She Who Tramples the Serpent. Jorge Rosano, 1996. Loan from National Museum of Mexican Art Permanent Collection, 1996.37, Gift of the artist
Puerto Rico, 1200-1500. Loan from the National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution (3697)
Possibly engraved by Joaquín Sotomayor, published by Joseph Bernardo de Hogal, 1737. Courtesy of the John Carter Brown Library
Mexico, 1782? Autry Museum; 88.127.76
Virgin of Monserrate (The Miracle of Hormigueros). Puerto Rico, late 1700s or early 1800s. National Museum of American History
Santa Barbara. 1700s CE. Loan from Smithsonian American Art Museum, Teodoro Vidal Collection
Oché Changó. Baba Ade Cola, California, 2010. Loan from Collection of Joseph M. Murphy
Divination Tray (Opon Ifa). From the Yoruba people in Efon, Nigeria, West Africa, 1960. Loan from Fowler Museum at UCLA, Gift of the Ralph B. Lloyd Foundation
1686. Courtesy of the John Carter Brown Library
Puerto Rico (inferred), 1200–1500 CE. Loan from the National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution (23/6092)
Po’Pay 2180; Leader of the Pueblo Revolt, Revolt 1680/2180 Series. Virgil Ortiz (Cochiti Pueblo), 2018. Loan from Virgil Ortiz, Cochiti Pueblo, New Mexico
Pueblo Revolt 1680 Jar. Jason García (Santa Clara Pueblo), around 2018. Loan from Robert S. Peabody Institute of Archaeology
Primer centenario de la abolición de la esclavitud en Puerto Rico, 1873-1973 (First centenary of the abolition of slavery in Puerto Rico, 1873-1973). Augusto Marín, 1973. Courtesy of the estate of Augusto Marín, reproduction provided by Princeton University, Firestone Library
Puerto Rican registration form for enslaved persons, Maricelle Ana and Mauricio. Puerto Rico, 1867. Loan from Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Autorretrato (Self-Portrait). Pío Casimiro Bacener, 1894. Loan from Smithsonian American Art Museum, Teodoro Vidal Collection
Francisco Menéndez. Rafael López, 2021.
Toypurina. Rafael López, 2021.
Late 1600s CE. Autry Museum; 88.127.50
Retablo of the Holy Child of Atocha. Rafael Aragón, New Mexico, 1840–1850. National Museum of American History
The Good Shepherdess. José Aragón?, New Mexico, 1840–1850. National Museum of American History
His-oo-sán-chees, Little Spaniard, a Warrior. George Catlin, 1834. Loan from Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Joseph Harrison, Jr.
San Miguelito Ranch Map: Monterey County, Calif. 1841. Courtesy of UC Berkeley, Bancroft Library
California (inferred), around 1880. Loan from the National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution (9/7331)
Branding Iron. California. National Museum of American History
Roping, Ninety-Six Ranch. Carl Fleischhauer, 1980. Courtesy of Paradise Valley Folklife Project collection, 1978–1982 (AFC 1991/021), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
New Mexico, 1600–1700. National Museum of American History
Navajo women shearing sheep. Department of Defense, Department of the Army, Office of the Chief Signal Officer, 1900s. Courtesy of National Archives
Diné (Navajo), New Mexico, 1865–1875. Loan from the National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution (19/7319)
Drawing of the Bay of Monterey, with a figure on horseback, from Alexander Forbes’ book, California: A History of Upper and Lower California. Alexander Forbes, 1839. Courtesy of California Historical Society Collection at the University of Southern California
The Fitch-Carrillo Family. Rafael López, 2021.
Uncle Sam with a Big Stick Political Cartoon. Louis Dalrymple, around 1905. Courtesy of Bettmann / Getty Images
Albion press, Hopkinson & Cope. 1845. National Museum of American History.
El observador mexicano (The Mexican Observer). (Phoenix, Ariz.). April 23, 1898. Courtesy of Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records & Library of Congress
Remember the Alamo? Eric J. García, 2021.
Gertrudis Navarro. Courtesy of Prints and Photographs Collection, di_05370, The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas Austin
Gunpowder Horn 1837. Autry Museum; 89.28.1
Juan Nepomuceno Seguín. Thomas Jefferson Wright, 1838. Courtesy of The State Preservation Board, Austin, Texas
Tejano Stock Saddle. Texas, 1800s. Loan from TexasTejano.com
Tejano Riata/ Leather Lariat. Texas, 1800s. Loan from TexasTejano.com
Courtesy of Prints and Photographs Collection, di_03371, The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas Austin
Map of the State of Coahuila and Texas. Engraved by W. Hooker, 1833. Courtesy of Texas State Library and Archives Commission [01607b]
Leather Jacket Around 1850s. Autry Museum; 90.107.1, donated by Mrs. Roblay McMullin
1848. Courtesy of ART Collection / Alamy Stock Photo
“To Arms! To Arms! Volunteers for the Mexican War!” 1846. Courtesy of University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History
Gate of Belen: Mexico, the 13th September, 1847 Garita de Belen: Mexico, el dia 13 de Septembre de 1847. 1847. Courtesy of Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division [LC-DIG-pga-08752]
Guerrilleros mexicanos (Mexican guerrillas). Around 1848. Courtesy of Division of Cultural and Community Life, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution
Mexican Cavalryman’s Cuirass. Manufacture de Klingenthal, 1832-1839. Loan from the Missouri Historical Society, St. Louis
Map of the United States of America. J.H. Colton, 1848. Courtesy of David Rumsey Map Collection, David Rumsey Map Center, Stanford Libraries
Courtesy of Security Pacific National Bank Photo Collection, Los Angeles Public Library
Doña Tules. Diana Bryer. Courtesy of Diana Bryer
Straggling Emigrants: fall of 1849. Joseph Goldsborough Bruff, 1849. Courtesy of journal and drawings of J. Goldsborough Bruff, 1849-1853, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California [mssHM 8044 (123) 6715]
American Progress. John Gast, 1872. Autry Museum; 92.126.1.
Portrait of Pío Pico and Family. 1852-1854. Courtesy of Seaver Center for Western History Research, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
Pío Pico’s Telescope 1852–1892. Autry Museum; 93.21.13.2, acquisition made possible by the Ramona chapter, Native Sons of the Golden West
Joaquin Murieta, 1859. Charles C. Nahl, 1859. Courtesy of UC Berkeley, Bancroft Library [1963.002.1321-FR]
Poster Advertising the Display of Joaquín Murrieta’s Head. Autry Museum; 94.22.38
Around 1895. Courtesy of History and Art Collection / Alamy Stock Photo [PBN5MA]
The Squatter and the Don. María Amparo Ruiz de Burton (C. Loyal), San Francisco, 1885. Loan from the University of Houston Arte Público Press / Recovering the US Hispanic Literary Heritage Program
Hanging of the Mexican woman [Josefa Loaiza]. San Francisco, Cal.: California Publishing Co., 1893. Courtesy of California State Library [(C)001541367CSL01-Aleph]
Sin título [Rendición de William Walker] (Untitled [Surrender of William Walker]). Oscar Vargas González (attributed), 1982. Courtesy of John Mitchell / Alamy Stock Photo [AP93CX]
The War in Nicaragua. William Walker, originally published in 1860.
Bombardment of San Juan, Porto Rico [i.e., Puerto Rico]. Around 1898. Courtesy of Library of Congress [LC-USZC4- 8328]
Sotero Figueroa. Rafael López, 2021.
Cuba addressing Uncle Sam: “I come to buy, not to beg, sir,” a 1903 cartoon. William Allen Rogers, 1903. Courtesy of North Wind Picture Archive [SOCI2A+00039]
School begins. Louis Dalrymple, 1899. Courtesy of Library of Congress [LC-USZC2-1025]
Boy in Costume, Selling Food and Drink on Street Outside Wood Frame Building APR 1901. Helen H. Gardener, 901. Courtesy of National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution [NAA INV 04331600]
Lucila Santoni (seated) and “la Valdinisa” de Ponce. Around 1910. Courtesy of Teodoro Vidal Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
Two Non-Native Women, School Teachers? With Schoolchildren, Outside School. Courtesy of National anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution [NAA INV 04357200]
A native Porto Rican thatched hut. Around 1904. Courtesy of Library of Congress [LC-DIG-stereo-1s16234]
El genio del ingenio (The demon of the sugar mill). Julio Tomás Martínez, 1910. Courtesy of the collection of Arnold Benus
Yabucoa, Puerto Rico. Wife of a sugar mill worker who is on strike at the mill. Jack Delano, 1942. Courtesy of Library of Congress, [LC-USF33- 021493-M1]
Handheld Drum. Puerto Rico, 1900s. National Museum of American History
Machete National Museum of American History
Motor and Pestle for Grinding Coffee Beans. Puerto Rico, around 1970. National Museum of American History
Jataca or ladle Puerto Rico, mid-1900s. National Museum of American History
Silver Soup Ladle. Puerto Rico, probably late 1800s. National Museum of American History
Coconut shell spoon. Puerto Rico, late 1800s. National Museum of American History
San Juan (vicinity), Puerto Rico. In a needlework factory. Jack Delano, 1942. Courtesy of Library of Congress [LC-USF34- 048414-D]
Sewing Basket. Late 1800s. National Museum of American History
Garment Iron. National Museum of American History
Vergüensa [sic] Contra Dinero (Honesty versus Money). 1940s. Courtesy of The Luis Muñoz Marín Foundation
3c Puerto Rico Gubernatorial Election single. Post Office Department, 1949. Courtesy of National Postal Museum, Smithsonian Institution
Sanchez family. 1921. Courtesy of Anna Ríos Bermúdez
Raft used by Cuban balseros, Around 1992. Loan from Anacostia Community Museum, Gift of Humberto Sanchez
Around 1900. Loan from Anna Ríos Bermúdez
Under the Texas Sun. Conrado Espinoza, Spanish-language edition originally published in 1926, English translation by Ethriam Cash Brammer de Gonzales, published by Arte Público Press in 2007.
Cuban refugees onboard the first Freedom Flight arrive at Miami International Airport, 1965. Courtesy of HistoryMiami Museum [1989-011-4510]
Child Refugee Dress Cuba. National Museum of American History
Pan American Airlines, United States, 1960. National Museum of American History
Army Airborne Troops Frisking Suspect. 1965. Courtesy of Hulton Deutsch / Getty Images
No Aid for Contra Terror. Mark Vallen, Shock Battalion, 1986.
El Pulgarcito: Órgano informativo del Comité de Salvadoreños Progresistas (El Pulgarcito: Information Body for the Committee of Progressive Salvadorans). Vol. II, No. 17, 1977.
Smith-Corona Coronet Automatic Electric Blue Typewriter. Around 1960. Loan from Mario Bencastro
Odyssey to the North. Mario Bencastro, 1999.
José González’s first communion day. Courtesy of Dr. José B. González
Tampa: Impresiones de Emigrado (Tampa: Impressions of anEmigrant). Wenceslao Gálvez, 1897. Loan from the University of South Florida Libraries
Black Cuban, Black American: A Memoir. Evelio Grillo, 2000.
Grillo Family Photo. Washington, D.C., 1947. Loan from Rosa Grillo
Evelio Grillo. Rafael López, 2021.
General Store. 1920s. Courtesy of Anna Rios Bermudez
A bracero stoops down with a short-handled hoe to cultivate a pepper field in California. Leonard Nadel, 1956. Courtesy of Leonard Nadel Photographs and Scrapbooks, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
Braceros Listening to Radio. Leonard Nadel, 1956. Courtesy of Leonard Nadel Photographs and Scrapbooks, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
Radio. National Museum of American History
XLR8 3M hard hat painted by Elias Zapata, Eli’s Collision, Austin, TX. Loan from the private collection of María Rios, President + CEO, Nation Waste, Inc., Houston, TX, www.nationwaste.us
Carolina Herrera, 1987–1992. National Museum of American History
Sazón Garifuna food truck. 2020. Photograph by John Nova Lomax for the Brays Oaks Management District, Houston TX
Teresa Ruelas (born Guerra). Rafael López, 2021.
Teresa Ruelas’s Bible. 1989. Loan from the Collection of Abraham Ruelas, PhD
Peru, 1923. Clotilde Arias Papers, 1919–1957, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
Music sheet for “The Star-Spangled Banner” in Spanish, 1945. Clotilde Arias, 1945. Courtesy of Clotilde Arias Papers, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
Demonstrators against bilingualism at Metro Center. Dade County, 1987. Courtesy of HistoryMiami Museum [1995-277-5100]
Jairo Jaime Graduation Cap and Stole. 2019. National Museum of American History
My Dreams Are Not Illegal. Yocelyn Riojas, 2017.
Sneakers. Recovered from the Sonoran Desert, 2009. Loan from Undocumented Migration Project
Backpack Recovered from the Sonoran Desert, 2010. Loan from Undocumented Migration Project
MP3 Player Recovered from the Sonoran Desert, 2009. Loan from Undocumented Migration Project
Celebración de 4 de Julio (Fourth of July Celebration) [screenprint poster]. Miguel Antonio Lebron, 1984. Courtesy of Puerto Rico Division of Community Education [DIVEDCO] Poster Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
La Insurrección de los Reyes Magos (The Insurrection of the Three Kings) [screen print poster]. Antonio Maldonado, 1973. Courtesy of Puerto Rico Division of Community Education [DIVEDCO] Poster Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
Jesús Colón. Rafael López, 2021.
Viajando con Mis Raíces (Traveling with My Roots). Samuel Miranda, 2010. Loan from Samuel Miranda
Cuatro. Puerto Rico, 1900s. National Museum of American History
Navy Starts Last Round Of Training Exercises On Vieques. Humberto Trias/Getty Images, 2003. Courtesy of Getty Images
La Semana del Emigrante (Week of the Emigrant). José Melendez Contreras. Courtesy of Puerto Rico Division of Community Education [DIVEDCO] Poster Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
En defensa de mi raza I (In Defense of My People I). Alonso S. Perales, 1936. Loan from the University of Houston Arte Público Press / Recovering the US Hispanic Literary Heritage Program
First LULAC Convention - Corpus Christi, TX - 5/17/1929? Courtesy of Benson Latin American Collection, LLILAS Benson Latin American Studies and Collections, The University of Texas at Austin
Leonor Villegas de Magnón and Aracelito Garcia with flag of La Cruz Blanca. 1914. Courtesy of the Leonor Villegas de Magnón Collection, Recovering the US Hispanic Literary Heritage Program, University of Houston
Healthcare Icon photograph. 1980s. Courtesy of Dr. Martha Molina Bernadett
Physician’s Bag and Stethoscope. Loan from the collection of Dr. Martha Molina Bernadett, daughter of C. David Molina, MD
Opon Ifá divination tray. Adrian Castro, 1999. Loan from Adrian Castro
Silver Opele divination chain. Adrian Castro, 1998. Loan from Adrian Castro
The House on Mango Street. Sandra Cisneros, 1984. Loan from Susan Bergholz
“Discrimination in the school system,” Report No. 1, Spanish American League Against Discrimination (S.A.L.A.D.), 1974. From the Vertical File, Courtesy of the Cuban Heritage Collection, University of Miami Libraries, Coral Gables, Florida
Carlos Cooks: Black Power. Moses Ros, 2013. Loan from Moses Ros (Suárez)
Barbershop, Washington Heights, New York. Winston Vargas, 1961. Courtesy of Smithsonian American Art Museum, museum purchase through the Smithsonian Latino Initiatives Pool, administered by the Smithsonian Latino Center, and through the Frank K. Ribelin Endowment
Activists in Puerto Rico raise their fists in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. Joaquín Medina, 2016. Courtesy of Joaquín Medina
Jaime Escalante. Rafael López, 2021.
Tinku Outfit. 1977. Loan from Julia García
Rick Reinhard, 1987. Courtesy of Rick Reinhard
Concert Poster. Printed by Woolever Press Los Angeles, California, 1950s. Loan from Mark and Dan Guerrero
Around 1974. Courtesy of the Pura Belpré Papers, 1897-1985, at the Center for Puerto Rican Studies Library & Archives, Hunter College, City University of New York
Teatro SEA, 3D printed reproductions of the originals made in 2021, costumes by Ingrid Harris, paint by Keith Saari. Loan from Collection of the Society of the Educational Arts/Teatro SEA, www.teatrosea.org
Bananhattan, from the portfolio Manifestaciones. Dominican York Proyecto GRAFICA, Yunior Chiqui Mendoza, 2010. Courtesy of Smithsonian American Art Museum, museum purchase made possible by the R.P. Whitty Company and the Cooperating Committee on Architecture
Primitivo Santos y Su Combo en Washington. 1967
Dominoes. Acquired in 2018. Loan from HistoryMiami Museum
The Poet X. Elizabeth Acevedo, 2018.
Frank Espada. Around 1954. Courtesy of the National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; acquisition made possible through the Smithsonian Latino Initiatives Pool, administered by the Smithsonian Latino Center, unidentified artist [NPG.2018.77]
Hijas de Cuahtémoc (Daughters of Cuahtémoc) Long Beach, California, 1971. National Museum of American History
Boycott Non-Union Lettuce. National Museum of American History
Boycott Chiquita. National Museum of American History
Viva Kennedy. National Museum of American History
Cubans for President Nixon. National Museum of American History
Viva Reagan! National Museum of American History
National Rainbow Coalition. 1983
Recorded Live at Sing Sing. Eddie Palmieri with Harlem River Drive, 1972. Tico Records.
Frank Espada, New York, 1964. Courtesy of Frank Espada Photographs, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
Fighting for Gay & Lesbian Health. 1993. Loan from the José Gutiérrez Archive and Collection
Roberto Clemente. Around 1970s. Courtesy of Focus on Sport / Getty Images
Gay rights activists at City Hall rally for gay rights (Detail), 1973. Courtesy of the Manuscripts and Archives Division, The New York Public Library, photo by Diana Davies
Dr. Roberto Davila. 2015. Courtesy of Dr. Roberto Davila
Custom hand-painted Krooked skateboard. 2018. Loan from Mark Gonzales
Judy Baca Brushes. Around 1980. National Museum of American History
Judy Baca Boots. Around 2011. National Museum of American History
Judy Baca. Rafael López, 2021.
Love and Rockets #1. Gilbert, Jaime and Mario Hernández, 1982.
José Julio Sarria. Rafael López, 2021.
José Julio Sarria blue dress. Loan from the José Gutiérrez Archive and Collection
Rosa Cervantes U.S. Air Force Uniform. National Museum of American History
Superman. Noé Reyes from the State of Puebla, Mexico works as a delivery boy in Brooklyn, New York. He sends 500 dollars a week. From the Real Story of the Superheros series, 2005-2010. Courtesy of the artist, Dulce Pinzón
Aviator’s Helmet. NASA, used between 1990–2007. Loan from Ellen Ochoa
Borderlands/La Frontera: The New Mestiza. Gloria Anzaldúa, originally published in 1987.
The Afro-Latin@ Reader: History and Culture in the United States. Edited by Miriam Jiménez Román and Juan Flores, 2010.
Survive. Dangerhouse, 1978.
La Horchata: En los tiempos de cuarentena (In Times of Quarantine). Issue #8, 2020–2021.
Explore the Gallery
Take a virtual tour of the Molina Family Latino Gallery.
Explore this interactive map to learn more about the features in the Molina Family Latino Gallery and content from the ¡Presente! exhibit. You can also explore the content through the legend on the right hand side of the map.
