The Club Cubano Inter-Americano Photograph Collection depicts the organization's activities from the mid-1940s to the mid-1970s.Documentation of activities for 1945 (the year of the club's origin) and the late 1970s to the 1990s is limited. The collection consists mainly of formal and candid group portraits, documenting the installation of officers, award presentations, banquets and receptions, coronation balls, musical events and parades. Included are some exterior and interior views of the club's facilities on Prospect Avenue in the Bronx, New York. Also included are publicity photos of Cuban musicians who may have visited or appeared at the club.Among the individuals depicited, mostly in group portraits, are club officials including Melba Alvarado, who twice served as president and was the club's secretary from the 1950s through the 1990s; Generoso Pedroso, the first president from 1945-1946; and José I. Leon, Dr. Narciso Saavedra, Francisca Cardenal, Pedro Guibert, Carlo Verdecia and Agustín Albuerne, among others who were officials from the 1940s to 1970s. Also included are individual and group portraits and candid shots of various Club Cubano Inter-Americano baseball teams from the 1940s and 1950s, as well as some group portraits of other Cuban or Cuban American teams. Depictions of Cuban musical figures and performers include publicity photographs of singer Celia Cruz and percussionist Candido; group portraits of vocalist Fernando Alvarez with fans and members of Arsenio Rodriguez's band at a club charity event (1960); views of musician Arsenio Rodriguez and diseuse Eusebia Cosme attending different club gatherings (ca. 1950s); and a candid view of composer/bandleader Johnny Pacheco attending a birthday party (n.d.).Depictions of Club Cubano activities and events include anniversary celebrations for the founding of the club; annual celebrations for Cuban revolutionary leaders Antonio Maceo and José Martí; an event honoring the Consul Grand Cubano at the City Center, New York (1947); a meeting between New York City Mayor Vincent Impellittari and Cuban journalist Pedro Portuondo Cala at City Hall (1948); Club members visiting Howard University in Washington, D.C. (1951); views of the queen and her court from the Reina de Club Cubano coronation gathering at the Hotel Roosevelt, New York (1957); views from the Club Cubano Dance at the Hotel Statler Hilton, featuring singer Benny Moré (1959); a club event honoring Cuban heavyweight boxer Niño Valdés (1957); and views of the Club Cubano marchers and floats in the Dia de la Raza Parade on Fifth Avenue, New York (1969).
Content: Many items bear photographer's or photography studio's handstamp on verso; many items have photographer's or photography studio's name printed on recto; some images bear studio blind stamp. Many images bear handwritten notations on verso and/or recto. Some images are matted; a few items are damaged. Some items are duplicates.
Content: Collection includes work by Thomas Lara, Miguel Luis, Salas Photo, and Cesar Gonzalez, among others.
Biographical/historical: Club Cubano Inter-Americano, Inc. was established in 1945 by Cuban residents in New York City who saw the need for a cultural and social club for Cubans and other Latinos living there. The club started during the 1945 centennial birthday celebration for Cuban revolutionary leader Antonio Maceo. By the following year, the club was fully organized and had a group of elected officials. The club, which is open to all regardless of race, gender, creed, political affiliation or religion, celebrates Cuban culture and history through various programs and events. In 1995, the Bronx-based club celebrated its 50th anniversary.
Citation/reference: Forms part of: Club Cubano Inter-Americano Records, 1946-1996.
