Cape Verde is an archipelago nation 400 miles off the west coast of Africa that was previously a Portuguese colony. Immigrants from this culturally rich locale first came to the United States in the 19th century as whalers and cranberry pickers, settling in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Today, there are about 250,000 people of Cape Verdean descent in southern New England. Our museum, a 501(c)3 f
ounded in 2000 with an East Providence location that opened in 2005, celebrates the history of the islands and the communities of those hardworking people who made the United States their home. We accomplish this through displays of maps, artifacts, archeological discoveries, photographs, artwork and many other types of items, as well as with our current library, the largest of any Cape Verdean collection in the U.S., which includes rare books, family mementos and historical documents that many visitors find engaging. Our goal is to elevate this heritage and provide role models for the next generation. Along the way, our doors have always been open to anyone else interested in learning the fascinating stories of Cape Verdeans.
