Puerto Rico: Caguana Indigenous Ceremonial Center

An exhibition room with a central glass case showcasing two large stone artifacts. Surrounding displays feature various archaeological items like pottery and tools, arranged in well-lit cases along the walls. The setting appears modern, designed to highlight ancient cultural artifacts.

Photo courtesy of Institute of Puerto Rican Culture

The recent renovation of the Caguana Indigenous Ceremonial Center in Puerto Rico, led by the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture (ICP), highlights the innovative role state arts agencies are playing in cultural heritage preservation. As the Caribbean’s most significant Taíno archaeological site, Caguana safeguards the legacy of the Indigenous cultures that thrived in the region before Spanish colonization. ICP’s extensive renovation not only revitalized the exhibition space but also involved new archaeological investigations, further enriching the site’s historical narrative.

Funded by the American Rescue Plan Act’s Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds program (ARPA SLFRF), the $327,000 investment enabled a comprehensive curatorial and museographic overhaul of the Caguana center’s exhibition hall. Spearheaded by renowned archaeologist Dr. Reniel Rodríguez and designed by Puerto Rican artist Garvin Sierra, the exhibition features over 200 artifacts from Indigenous Caribbean cultures, making it the largest of its kind in the region. This transformation goes beyond updating the space—it positions the center as a hub for education and research, with the aim of attracting scholars and archaeologists for further study, reinforcing its potential as an international research center.

The project repositions the Caguana Indigenous Ceremonial Center as a key destination for education, research and tourism, in line with ICP’s mission of cultural preservation and dissemination, all of which could result in economic development. The renovation was completed in time to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the park’s inauguration as an archaeological site, ensuring its continued role as a focal point for Puerto Rican heritage and global academic interest. For more information, contact Institute of Puerto Rican Culture Director of Communications Nayaret Ennovi Candelario Soto.