The United States has the largest population of Latinos outside of Latin America. Indiana’s Latino population ranks within the top 25 states and is our state’s third largest demographic. Beyond the numbers, Latinos have a long and storied history in Indiana – the foundational community began its roots in northwest Indiana as early as 1919 in the Indiana Harbor neighborhood in East Chicago, Indiana.
In the next installment of the Be Heard series, we explore the almost 100-year-old roots of Indiana’s Latinos. This exhibit is celebrating new additions of our Latino Collection, which includes 25 oral history interviews, books, a newspaper collection, original photos and digital images.
Be Heard features never-before-seen photos accompanying select interviews with audio clips. The exhibit explores the intersection of culture and the contributions of Indiana’s Latinos – annual citywide traditions, the first Latino Catholic Church in the state, statewide public health policies and an agency in response to the farm labor movement.
As this community grew throughout the regions of Indiana, so did the cultural backgrounds. The Latino Collection includes those from Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Each person whose story is featured has contributed much to their local community, profession and the State of Indiana. It’s a diverse group with a growing history.
Latino History Collecting Initiative supported by Lilly Endowment Inc.