About the Collection
Teodoro Vidal: The Collector
The life and work of the cultural visionary.
Puerto Rican History
Art, artifacts, and archival documents illustrating the island’s history.
Objects, photographs, and aspirations of working men and women on the island.
The art and traditions of the Catholic folk culture of Puerto Rico.
The revelers, masks, and artisans who make the Carnaval de Ponce.
The musical instruments and traditions of bomba, música jíbara, and plena.
The Great Puerto Rican Family
Portraits of Puerto Ricans during an era of dramatic economic and social change.
The Teodoro Vidal Collection
This Web site invites you to look at the history of Puerto Rico through the eyes of the collector who captured the island’s history from the 16th to the 20th centuries with the thousands of wonderful objects that he collected.
In His Own Words
"I found that there were not only Santos, but also ex-votos, mortars, furniture, and many of these objects were worthwhile conserving. Therefore I committed myself to the job of preserving all these significant objects of our heritage..." -- Teodoro Vidal
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Note: Audio is in Spanish.
The resources in this section—designed for teachers, parents, and students—bring to life some of the most traditional Puerto Rican artistic expressions and rich history. Materials for teachers, parents, and students include a bibliography, glossary, and related links.