The Threads of Memory: Spain and the United States examines Spanish heritage in North America, including Spain’s role in America’s quest for independence.

For more than three centuries, Spain explored, navigated, charted, and settled much of the continent of North America and adjacent waters.

As a result of these activities, Spanish presence is embedded in the histories of these lands, rivers, bays and gulfs, stretching from Florida to California and from the Sea of Cortez to Puget Sound. The exhibition, The Threads of Memory: Spain and the United States / El Hilo de la Memoria: España y los Estados Unidos, portrays these exploits and the individuals responsible for them with a stunning selection of nearly 140 works drawn from the Archive of the Indies in Seville. Highlights of the exhibition include sections on Spanish exploration in Florida, the administration of Louisiana under Spain, and the role of Spain in the American Revolution.

Curated by Falia González Díaz of the Archive of the Indies, The Threads of Memory was organized by The Historic New Orleans Collection, Acción Cultural Española (AC/E), the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, the Spanish Ministry of Culture and the Embassy of Spain in Washington, DC.

Lecture series:

In conjunction with the exhibition, The Collection will present this year an expanded series of four talks as part of The Bouligny Lecture Series on Spanish Louisiana:

1. "Family Geographies: Free People of Color in Spanish Colonial New Orleans” on Tuesday, May 17, 2011.
2. “Spain and the Independence of the United States: An Intrinsic Gift” on Tuesday, May 24, 2011.
3. “The European Mapping of the Gulf of Mexico and the Greater Southwest, 1492–1750” on Tuesday, June 14, 2011.
4. “Following the Paper Trail: The Daily Life of a Spanish Colonial Document” on Tuesday, June 21, 2011.

Piano concert:

The Consul General of Spain in the Southwest and The Historic New Orleans Collection present internationally acclaimed pianist Sergio de los Cobos performing musical selections from Spain on Wednesday, May 11, 6:30–8 p.m, at 533 Royal Street. Seating is limited and reservations are required; call (504) 523-4662 to register. Reservations will be held until 10 minutes prior to the start of the program. At that time, any unclaimed seats will be released to the public.

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504-523-4662

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