The Lydia Cabrera papers document the life and career of writer and ethnographer Lydia Cabrera, one of the 20th century’s leading writers on Cuban folklore and an internationally known chronicler of Afro-Cuban culture and religion. The materials include correspondence, manuscripts of her works, field notes, interviews, photographs, illustrations, and memorabilia. This collection also contains documentation about the restoration of several colonial buildings in Cuba.
A highlight of the collection are the libretas, or notebooks, collected by Cabrera from Santeria priests and priestesses that document rituals and religious practices of the Afro-Cuban faith. These are found in Series 3 along with her manuscripts and field notes.
Part of this collection has been digitized and is available in the University of Miami Digital Collections online repository.
This collection contains documents, clippings, photographs and ephemera of the activities of Alberto Sarraín and his theater production group, La Má Teodora. The collection documents his financial, administrative, theatrical and personal activities. There is also a group of personal papers that make up a portion of the collection, including materials related to Sarraín's work with the Community Relations Service at Guantánamo Bay Naval Base and the Guantánamo Refugee Education and Training Program.
Orestes Ferrara (1876-1972) was Cuba's Ambassador to the United States and Secretary of State under the administration of Gerardo Machado. Materials in this collection include correspondence, manuscripts, photographs, newspaper clippings, drawing of Ferrara coat of arms, Curriculum Vitae and a photocopy of Ferrara's diplomatic passport.
The Caridad Svich Papers contain the personal and literary works of playwright Caridad Svich. This collection is organized into two series. Series 1 consists of original theater works as well as translations by Caridad Svich; materials related to the productions, such as playbills, advertisements, clippings and reviews; and articles about the playwrights. Series 2 consists of audiovisual material such as Mini DVs, CDs and tapes containing conferences presented by Caridad Svich and performance soundtracks. Series 3 contains magazines featuring Svich's writing.
The bulk of materials consist of magazines with articles about ballet in Cuba and Alicia Alonso, Cuba's prima ballerina whose ballet company became the Ballet Nacional de Cuba in 1955. Materials also include theatre programs and clippings.
The papers document professional activities of Wilfredo Fernandez, a famous Cuban singer who was described as "the romantic voice of Cuba." The materials include 4 scrapbook albums, 46 photographs, 10 music records, 2 CDs, 3 cassettes, 14 manuscript musical scores arrangements composed for Wilfredo Fernandez by important Cuban composers.
The Tomás Fernández Robaina Papers contain manuscripts, bibliographies and audiovisual materials authored by Tomás Fernández Robaina, including drafts of Apuntes para la historia de la Biblioteca Nacional José Martí de Cuba, manuscripts relating to the santería orisha Eleggua and other santería practices, as well as articles on Cuban poet Nicolás Guillén's prose and prostitution in Cuba, respectively. The collection also contains a video cassette of a lecture given by Fernández Robaina at Lincoln University in November 1993.
The collection consists of 340 photographs of Miami including the celebration of Carnival Miami at Calle 8. The photographs were taken by Gustavo Roca.
The Cuban Women's Club Collection contains official documents and publications from the Cuban Women's Club of Miami, founded in 1969. Series 1 includes notes, clippings, invitations, programs and publications from the Cuban Women's Club of Miami during Wilma Tuñón's tenure as president of the organization. Series 2 contains the official records of the organization from its founding in 1969, including photographs, Floridiana Award records, reports, promotional materials, memorabilia, programs, and publications.
The Lucila Negrín de García-Berry papers document the life and career of Lucila Negrín de García-Berry. It contain correspondence, clippings, honors and awards, photographs, and programs.
The papers document professional activities of Osvaldo Farrés as a composer who composed both songs and lyrics. The bulk of papers consists of the scores of the songs that were translated into many languages and recorded by top singing stars e.g., "Quizás, Quizás, Quizás" (Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps) and "Toda Una Vida"(Until Tomorrow). The materials also include photographs, clippings, diplomas honoring Farrés' musical achievements, magazines, programs and a multicultural school calendar for year 1980 featuring Hispanic role models for children.
The bulk of material consists of bonds of Cuban Railroad Company and the Republic of Cuba National Bank, and money printed in Cuba before 1959. The material also includes Havana Yacht Club magazine from February 1955 .
The Rosario Hirart Collection contains documents related to Cuban anthropologist Lydia Cabrera.
It includes photographs, illustrations, correspondence, and handwritten notes by Lydia Cabrera and Teresa de la Carra. It also includes published articles and a copy of Vanguardia magazine.
This collection is comprised of articles, clippings, genealogical charts, pamphlets, the biography of José Valdés-Fauli, and the last will and testament of José de la Luz y Caballero.
Records document official activities of Count of Gálvez Historical Society established in Miami in 1988 by Cuban exiles and Spanish personalities living in Miami. Its purpose is to make people of the United States and Florida know the role of Spain and Spanish speaking countries, their peoples, culture and civilization, as well as to provide information on discovery and settlement of Florida. In addition, its purpose is promoting Spanish traditions, history and culture. The materials consist of official correspondence, Public Acts, information about Spanish and Cuban History presented on various conferences, clippings and folders discussing Spanish castles, museums, cities and achievements of King Carlos III, as well as clippings about historical research of Dr. Carlos Fernandes-Shaw, the information about conferences, which took place at Koubek Center, Articles of Incorporation, by-laws, corporate and tax documents, financial records including budgets, minutes of meetings of directors, treasury correspondence, membership forms and materials with historical research for speeches.
