The exhibition 'Invisible Immigrants' starts its journey across the U.S. in Tampa

The city has turned out to receive the exhibition. It was inaugurated on March 1 with a huge attendance and a program of events organized around it by the Tampa people

On exhibit at the Tampa Bay History Center until August 3

21 March 2025

After three venues in Spain, which brought together more than 30,000 visitors between 2020 and 2023, ‘Invisible Immigrants: Spanish in the U.S. (1868-1945)’ emulates the journey of its protagonists and crosses the Atlantic to the city that was the destination of many of them. The first stop in the United States has been quite an event for the local community, which has embraced the exhibition and has organized a weekend of events around it to preserve the memory of their migrant ancestors.

The importance of this heritage and of preserving these stories alive for the city was evident during the inauguration, which was attended by the Mayor of Tampa, Jane Castor, the Honorary Consul of Spain in Tampa, José Vivero, and descendants of Spanish emigrants.

Visit the website

“Tampa’s Spanish legacy is in its DNA. Members of my generation, grandchildren of those brave Spaniards, are the last people who have known and had a connection to them. We need to pass on to our children and grandchildren the pride we feel in our Spanish heritage. The best way to honor our ancestors is to preserve their stories.”

Anthony Carreño, Spanish descendant and president of the Spanish Center of Tampa

“I can’t think of a better place than Tampa for this exhibition to begin its journey across the United States. It is a city that still breathes this Hispanic heritage in many places and families. Visitors will see themselves reflected in the story we tell in the exhibition because in many cases, it is their own story”

Fernando Prieto, secretary-general of the Fundación Consejo España – EE. UU

“Walking around its emblematic neighborhoods we find numerous samples that still evoke the vibrant Spanish community that existed there, and that in a few decades would shape the city. Starting our tour in the United States in such a unique enclave is a real privilege”

María Luque, director of the exhibition and head of Cultural and Educational Affairs of the Fundación Consejo España – EE.UU.

About ‘Invisible Immigrants. Spaniards in the USA (1868 – 1945)’.

This is the first exhibition dedicated to the history of Spanish emigration to the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, based on the results of the research carried out for more than a decade by the curators of the event, New York University professor James D. Fernandez (Brooklyn, New York, 1961), and journalist and filmmaker Luis Argeo (Asturias, 1975).

A fascinating vital and emotional journey narrated through more than 300 photographs, objects, documents and audiovisual material selected from the immense archive guarded by the curators, consisting of more than 15,000 records from family albums and boxes of memories.

About Tampa Bay History Center

Considered by USA Today as one of the top ten history museums in the United States, the Tampa Bay History Center encompasses three floors of exhibition space for permanent and temporary exhibits spanning 12,000 years of Florida history and culture.

Affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution and accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the History Center includes the Touchton Map Library, the Florida Cartographic Education Center, the Witt Research Center and houses the Columbia Cafe.

The city has turned out to receive the exhibition. It was inaugurated on March 1 with a huge attendance and a program of events organized around it by the Tampa people

On exhibit at the Tampa Bay History Center until August 3

21 March 2025

About ‘Invisible Immigrants. Spaniards in the USA (1868 – 1945)’.

About Tampa Bay History Center

Gallery

FUNDACIÓN CONSEJO ESPAÑA – EE.UU.

Síguenos en redes sociales