Teodoro Vidal Collection of Puerto Rican History

Explore Puerto Rico’s history, from the 16th to the 20th centuries, through the eyes of collector Teodoro Vidal. Vidal captured the island’s history by collecting thousands of objects. Over 80 artifacts are featured here.

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Juego de Servir Ron

This rum decanter with matching cups was made from wood. Rum, a by-product of sugar cane, is closely associated with the history of the Caribbean. In Puerto Rico, rum is produced for both foreign and domestic consumption.Decantador de ron de madera con copas haciendo juego.
Description
This rum decanter with matching cups was made from wood. Rum, a by-product of sugar cane, is closely associated with the history of the Caribbean. In Puerto Rico, rum is produced for both foreign and domestic consumption.
Description (Spanish)
Decantador de ron de madera con copas haciendo juego. El ron, un derivado de la caña de azúcar, se halla estrechamente relacionado con la historia del Caribe. En Puerto Rico se produce tanto para la exportación como para el consumo doméstico.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
early 20th century
ID Number
1997.0097.0881
catalog number
1997.0097.0881
accession number
1997.0097

Oil lamp

This red painted tinware oil lamp was acquired in the town of Lares in 1959. Popular lore says that small oil lamps like this were used by women to meet at night and gossip.
Description
This red painted tinware oil lamp was acquired in the town of Lares in 1959. Popular lore says that small oil lamps like this were used by women to meet at night and gossip. Chisme, means gossip, therefore the lamp was named a chismosa, or gossiper.
Description (Spanish)
Esta lámpara de aceite de latón fue adquirida en la ciudad de Lares en 1959. Es la creencia popular que lámparas pequeñas como estas eran usadas por mujeres que se reunían por la noche a chismear. Por esta razón este tipo de lámparas se llaman chismosas.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1959
ID Number
1997.0097.1067
accession number
1997.0097
catalog number
1997.0097.1067

Toy Rooster

Sold mostly at craft and folk fairs, toys like this show how artisans on the island have creatively used and re-used rubber, metal, paper, and other natural materials.Juguetes como éste, que se venden en su mayoría en las ferias de artesanías y cosas típicas, son prueba del modo
Description
Sold mostly at craft and folk fairs, toys like this show how artisans on the island have creatively used and re-used rubber, metal, paper, and other natural materials.
Description (Spanish)
Juguetes como éste, que se venden en su mayoría en las ferias de artesanías y cosas típicas, son prueba del modo en que los artesanos recurrían a la creatividad para reutilizar el caucho, el metal, el papel y otros materiales naturales.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
20th century
maker
unknown
ID Number
1997.0097.1211
accession number
1997.0097
catalog number
1997.0097.1211

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