Your Journey to Puerto Rican Culture

This video explores the basics of Puerto Rican history and politics to explain why the island went from a Spanish colony to a US commonwealth. It looks at the early Spanish attempts at development, the failed attempts at independence and goes through the first decades of American rule. It begins with Ponce de León and to Ricky Roselló's resignation, going through the nationalist years and Muñoz Marín's Operation Bootstrap policies.

In 1539, the Spanish began building a fort in San Juan to fend off attacks from European rivals. The fort was known as "El Morro," and as the attacks on it multiplied, so too did its defenses.

  Ponce, Puerto Rico, started as a Taíno settlement, then grew from a 17th-century Spanish outpost into a major 19th-century economic powerhouse driven by sugar and coffee, earning its nickname "The Pearl of the South". Named for Juan Ponce de León y Loayza, it became a key port, an important regional capital under Spain, and the island's largest city before U.S. takeover in 1898. Today, Ponce is known for its preserved Neoclassical architecture, vibrant culture, and historic sites like the Parque de Bombas, reflecting centuries of colonial history and revitalization.  

Castillo Serrallés is the family home of the best selling rum brand in Puerto Rico, Don Q. This incredible castle and much of the entire city of Ponce, was build as part of the vast Serrallés family fortune.  The museum tour focuses on architecture, Serrallés family history, life in the 1930’s, and the details of the home. While the Serrallés family owns and operates the Destilería Serrallés that produces Don Q rum, only a small portion of the tour here actually discussed rum production. There are several rooms full of photos and memorabilia about the sugar plantation workers and sugar cane production.