Preserving Puerto Rican Stories
Every photograph, document, and memory tells the story of Puerto Rican resilience, migration, and cultural contributions in Chicago and the Midwest.
What is El Archivo Project?
El Archivo is our comprehensive digital collection preserving the rich history of Puerto Rican migration and cultural life in Chicago and the Midwest. Through photographs, documents, oral histories, and personal artifacts, we document the educational, social, and economic contributions of the Puerto Rican community.
Our archive serves as a living testament to the experiences, struggles, and triumphs that have shaped our community for generations. From family celebrations to community organizing, El Archivo captures the full spectrum of Puerto Rican life in the diaspora.
Contribute to Our Archive
Do you or your family have old photos tucked away? Each one helps tell the story of our community, including birthdays, parades, graduations, travel, and more. Our archive grows through the generosity of our community members who share their family photographs, documents, and memorabilia. We seek images that capture authentic moments of Puerto Rican life in Chicago. We are seeking original photographs (no digital file).
Share Your Families Experience
Your Family’s Migratory Experience
Tell us about your family's journey to Chicago. When did they arrive? What brought them here? How did they navigate the challenges of starting a new life while maintaining their cultural identity?
Home & Family Life
Share stories of how Puerto Rican traditions were maintained in Chicago homes. From holiday celebrations to Sunday dinners, from language preservation to intergenerational relationships.
Social, Education, Sports & Cultural Life
Document your family's involvement in community organizations, schools, sports teams, cultural groups, and social movements that shaped Puerto Rican identity in Chicago.
Labor Force, Business & Military Service
Preserve stories of work, entrepreneurship, and service. How did Puerto Ricans contribute to Chicago's economy, start businesses, and serve in the military while building community networks?
Meet With Our Archivist
Ready to contribute to El Archivo or need research assistance? Schedule a personal consultation with our professional archivist to discuss your family's materials, research needs, or questions about our collection.
Educational Programs and Learning Opportunities
El Archivo transforms historical preservation into dynamic educational experiences. Our programs connect students, educators, and researchers with authentic Puerto Rican stories that illuminate broader themes of immigration, community building, and cultural preservation in American cities.
Exhibition Development
Students and researchers can access our digital archive to develop compelling exhibitions and academic papers. Our collection provides primary source materials for projects exploring immigration, urban history, cultural preservation, and Latino studies. We provide guidance and support for creating meaningful displays that honor community stories and traditions.
Educational Outreach
Providing a 6-week, standards-based curriculum on migration and immigration to Chicago, the Midwest, and the U.S. for grades 3–12.
Bring Puerto Rican history into your classroom through our immigration curriculum resources. Centered on Puerto Rican migration, our curriculum invites all students to reflect on their own family history and heritage. Lessons are adaptable and aligned with Illinois State Standards for Social Studies, ELA (Common Core), Social Emotional Learning, and English Language Development (WIDA ACCESS), with accommodations for diverse learners in every plan.
Internship Opportunities
Gain hands-on experience in digital archiving, community history, and cultural preservation. Our internships provide students with professional skills in cataloging, digitization, research, and public programming while contributing to meaningful community work that preserves Puerto Rican heritage.
Join Our Facebook Community
Join our online community where Puerto Ricans in Chicago and beyond share stories, photographs, and memories. Connect with others researching family history, contribute to ongoing discussions about community heritage, and stay updated on new archive additions and community events.
Sponsors
Archive Image Use and Copyright Policy
ALL IMAGES ARE IN COPYRIGHT and all rights are reserved by the Puerto Rican Arts Alliance (PRAA). Permission to copy, reproduce, and/or to purchase a photograph must be requested via email at archivo@praachicago.org or by mail:
Attn: PRAA - El Archivo Project
3000 N Elbridge Ave.
Chicago, IL 60618