El Museo de las Américas – Saturday, May 3

Day 3 in San Juan consisted of a tour of El Museo de las Americas.  We had the option to eat breakfast wherever we desired, as long as we met at El Museo De Las Americas by 1:00 pm. Our tour began at 2:00 pm, where we were taken to 4 galleries that each explored the history and culture of Puerto Rico. Our tour guide provided insight as to the conservation and promotion of the cultural heritage of Puerto Rico and Las Americas with a strong commitment to the community. We were able to walk through galleries 2,3,4, and 5 before our tour guide started, which consisted of famous and popular artwork that illustrated traditional North America, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. Our tour guide shared how, although many Indigenous populations were severely affected by European conquest and colonization, disappearing in some regions, they remain a major demographic in others.

The artwork that was shown consisted of vibrant colors and beautiful designs. The photos were able to highlight the history throughout Puerto Rico and other important aspects of life. We got to see traditional clothing that had been worn by many different tribes, as well as the different instruments used that impact their music today.

European settlers, particularly from Spain, Portugal, England, France, and the Netherlands, left lasting marks through their languages, beliefs, and institutions, including Christianity. African people, forcibly brought to the Americas as early as the 1500s, played a crucial role in shaping new national identities and enriching the continent’s cultural landscape with their traditions. Room 8 had been called “Conquista y Colonización,” which explored the triumphs and hardships of Puerto Rico’s history. In this gallery, we gained insight into the different aspects of Puerto Rico’s early history, which included the arrival of the Spanish and the encounters they had with the Taino people.

Throughout this tour, we also gained insight into the island’s defense against invasions by the Dutch, French, and British. This experience allowed us to grasp a better understanding of how the Taino, African, and Spanish cultures have each contributed to the formation of Puerto Rican identity. After the tour had ended, we had all travelled back to our hotel, La Ferreteria, where we gathered around 4:30 pm. We debriefed on our experience of the tour as well as reflected on the information we had learned. We also discussed what we had enjoyed about the tour, but also some things that had stuck with us after learning more about Puerto Rican culture.

By Britney and Krysttal Ortega.