Latino history is American history. Latinos trace their origins to Latin America and other Spanish colonies, both in the Caribbean and in the contemporary United States. These groups include, but are not limited to, Indigenous, Mestizos, Afro-Latinos, and other mixed-race people. Currently representing the largest ethnic minority in the country, Latinos have participated in the creation and growth of this nation well before it was named the United States. Complex stories of colonization, immigration, and slavery make Latino history an infinite source for inquiry and knowledge. Explore many complex Latino narratives through our exhibits, collections, archives, programs, and blogs.

Visit the Program in Latino History and Culture website to learn about the Museum’s efforts to support and expand Latino scholarship.

La historia latina es historia estadounidense. Los latinos trazan sus orígenes a América Latina y otras colonias españolas en el Caribe y lo que es hoy Estados Unidos. Estos grupos incluyen a indígenas, mestizos, afrolatinos y otras personas de raza mixta. Siendo actualmente la minoría étnica más grande en este país, los latinos han participado en la creación y el crecimiento de la nación desde mucho antes de llamarse Estados Unidos de América. Complejas narrativas de colonización, inmigración y esclavitud hacen de la historia latina una rica fuente de investigación y conocimientos. Te invitamos a explorar muchas de estas complejas narrativas latinas a través de nuestras exhibiciones, colecciones, archivos, programas y blogs.

En el sitio web del Programa de Historia y Cultura Latinas podrás conocer los esfuerzos del museo para apoyar y expandir el conocimiento sobre los latinos. 

Collections Highlight/Colecciones destacadas

Image of Selena Quintanilla in concert. Selena wears leather pants and a matching leather jacket and bustier and holds a microphone.
This performance photo of Selena Quintanilla, often called the Queen of Tejano music, was taken by San Antonio-based photographer Al Rendon.  
​​Esta foto de Selena Quintanilla, comúnmente reconocida como La Reina de la música Tejana, fue capturada por el fotógrafo basado en San Antonio Al Rendon.  
Stone statue of an Aztec-style mask, open mouth and carved headdress
This Stone Aztec Mask (1946) adorned the former KWEX-TV news building in San Antonio, Texas. This mask served a reminder of the TV station’s roots in Mexican-American culture. 
Esta Máscara Azteca(1946) decoró el anterior edificio de noticias KWEX-TV  en San Antonio, Texas. Esta máscara además sirvió como un recordatorio sobre las raices Mexico-Americanas de la estación de TV.  
Graduation robe modified to look like monarch butterfly wings. Graduation cap with flowers and rainbow-striped stole.
This graduation cap and gown were worn by Jairo Javier Morales, a Latino college graduate, to celebrate his identity as an undocumented, queer, Mexican American artist. The cap and gown are currently on display in “¡Presente! A Latino History of the United States.” 
Esta toga y birrete le pertenecieron a Jairo Javier Morales, un estudiante Latino graduado de la universidad, celebrando su identidad como un artista, Mexico-Americano, queer e indocumentado. La toga y birrete se encuentran en “¡Presente! A Latino History of the United States.” 
Black and white photo of five baseball players. Number 21 is at bat.
This photo appears in “¡Pleibol! In the Barrios and the Big Leagues,” a bilingual exhibition that explores the impact of Latinos on baseball. “¡Pleibol!” will tour the country after October 2022. 
Esta imagen es parte de la exhibición bilingue “¡Pleibol! En los Barrios y las Grandes Ligas” que explora el impacto de los Latinos en el baseball. "¡Pleibol!” viajará por el país depués de Octubre 2022. 

Coming Soon/Próximamente

Digital rendering of wide open entrance of Entertainment Nation exhibition. Visitors follow a yellow brick road into the gallery and gesture at cases.

How does entertainment inspire, captivate and transform people? Explore the bilingual exhibition Entertainment Nation to learn more about the role of entertainment in American history.  

Cómo nos inspira, captura y transforma el espectáculo? Explora la exhibición bilingue Nación del Espectáculo para aprender más sobre el papel del espectáculo en la historia Americana. 

Videos/Videos

Resource Guides

  • Food History. This guide from the museum's Food History Team assembles a wealth of resources which speak to and reflect the role of food in the migration, work, family, and community experiences of Latinos in the United States.

In the News/En las noticias

Latino History

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From Our Blog

Close zoom on a handmade U.S. flag with 48 stars and 13 stripes attached to a short bamboo pole. Some of its details illustrate how it was created with found materials by U.S. soldiers held as POWs during World War II: bleeding colors, uneven stitching, and browned medical tape.
One flag–and the two soldiers who carried it

Unassuming at first glance, a U.S. flag that recently joined our museum's collection brings together the remarkable stories of two U.S. soldiers.

Rosary with metal crucifix and black beads. Circular and rectangular medals are positioned regularly along the chain
Beads of faith: Exploring the diversity of American rosaries in the museum’s collection

Rosaries or prayer beads are an essential part of American material religion, the study of the objects, icons, images, and spaces of religious practice in the United States.

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