Capturing the chronicles of Bristol's Puerto Rican community is the focus of a new archive initiative

In the heart of Bristol, a vibrant and growing Puerto Rican community has been a significant part of the borough's cultural tapestry for over six decades. According to the 2020 U.S. Census data, more than 1,100 Puerto Ricans make up a substantial portion of the borough's population, accounting for over 15% of those who identify as Hispanic and/or Latino.

One of the most notable celebrations of this rich heritage is the Puerto Rican Day Festival, which is celebrating its 52nd edition this year. However, a new initiative is now underway to preserve the memories and history of this community beyond the festivities.

Joel Berrocal, the executive director of the National Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce, is leading this project. Berrocal, a resident of Bristol, has had the idea for years, but it gained urgency as members of the first generation of Puerto Ricans to move to Bristol in the 1950s are growing older and passing away.

The initiative aims to preserve the memories of the initial group of Puerto Ricans who moved to Bristol, as well as their memories from home. Abigail Duffany, archivist at The Margaret R. Grundy Memorial Library, is working closely with Berrocal on this endeavour. The library is "super supportive" in organising the initiative and determining how to collect and curate photos, documents, and oral histories, especially from the older generations.

The archive will be an ongoing project, with plans to host exhibitions potentially coinciding with Bristol's annual Puerto Rican Day Festival. Duffany is eager to work with anyone who wants to participate, including those who have photos, oral histories, or other materials to contribute. If necessary, she can work with people to digitize photos or other materials if they don't wish to permanently donate the original to the archive.

Berrocal is also focusing on archiving photos, stories, and information related to the borough's efforts to help Puerto Ricans after Hurricane Maria. Bristol community members raised over $100,000 to support Puerto Ricans affected by the hurricane in 2017.

The project also welcomes volunteers who want to look through old newspapers and other historical materials. Berrocal's family history mirrors that of many other Puerto Rican community members in Bristol and elsewhere in the diaspora, as they were forced to move from their homes due to the U.S. government's Operation Bootstrap program in the 1940s and 1950s.

Many Puerto Ricans who came to Bristol initially settled in Philadelphia before moving to other suburbs, including Bristol. Berrocal's relatives, like many other Puerto Ricans, came to the area to work at King's Farm in Morrisville.

Interested individuals can submit a form on the library's website or email [email protected] to contribute photos or record an oral history. This is an opportunity for the community to come together, preserve their shared history, and ensure that recent history, including events like Hurricane Maria, are documented for long-term preservation.

Capturing the chronicles of Bristol's Puerto Rican community is the focus of a new archive initiative