The items that sit inside glass cases tell Cuba's story - a map of the island nation from 1606, a book of poetry from a slave who would become a famous intellectual, and even photos of a future UF professor who joined Fidel Castro's revolution.
These and other rare items can be seen today until Jan. 23 in the CUBA: Past, Present and Future Exhibit of Rarities display at the Smathers Library.
"These materials have never been exhibited before," said Richard Phillips, head of the Latin American Collection at UF. "We're very excited."
The exhibit, open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, consists of rare books, maps, photographs and other items spanning more than 200 years of Cuban history and culture.
A signed book of poetry by Cuban national hero Jose Marti sits in one case, while another display contains insurance policies expressing the dehumanization of slaves in the early colonial days of the Caribbean islands.
The exhibit, which has been in the making since October, consists of private donations along with items from UF libraries and other departments, Phillips said.
The athletic department donated a trophy from a 1926 track meet between UF and a university in Havana. Another UF library donated a 1929 letter from the President of Cuba to UF President John Tigert expressing the desire for closer relations and exchanges with the university.
Phillips said UF has one of the top collections pertaining to the post-1950s Caribbean and Latin America.
The exhibit debuts today on the second floor of Smathers Library.
On Sunday, there will be an opening reception at the exhibit from 4 to 7 p.m. to mark the 50th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution and Castro's rule.
