It is essential that buildings like this contain information on the history of the island. The architecture here is telling days fortimes, earlier the island was booming. It was one of the richest cities in the United States. Announcer the San Carlos Institute was founded in key west fred key west. Located in the historic heart of key west, today it serves as a museum, library, art gallery, theater, and school. Coming up, the conversation with the president of the San Carlos Institute. Clicks for the cuban people, this is the most sacred place outside of cuba. This is a historical landmark of such proportions. I like to say that eternal cuba lives here. Only 90 miles away. It is a symbol of freedom and a monument to the cuban people. It is a monument to their perseverance in the pursuit of freedom. Building was defined cubasof cuba upon most famous architects. They say that architecture is a tool of history. He combined the beauty of architecture with the powerful message of history. It is the cuba he envisions. Primary goal the of guaranteeing citizens they sick, human rights basic human rights. In 1917, the hurricane knocked it down. Architectureother architect to design this is a great human cuban home. And thethe balcony arches under the balcony that exactly actually as they were in the previous building. Would be the base base of the republic that he envisions. Send carlos is like a religious monument for cuban people. If you went to the building then, you find yourself almost surrounded by as if you are in a large cuban mansion. , the mosaicsings brought from spain. The floors. The black and white tiles. It incorporates other elements. White marbletiful in the staircase. Was designed to bring people to understand history and appreciate cubas architecture. It is fantastic. Element is theer designer. It was founded in 1871 by cuban immigrants who came to key west. Could a place where they put together the dreams they have for their lives. The cuba they envisioned. Cubathey envisioned was a that would have respect for human rights, and the dignity of the individual. It was founded as a patriotic and educational center. To imitates wanted in key west, what the seminary in cuba stood for. It was a place of academic excellence. It was also a place where a posted cubas independence. Foundersren of the were humble tobacco workers. They worked in the tobacco factories in key west. They were rich in spirit. They passed on a sense of pride in their cuban roots. On andso passed aspiration to have a homeland that would one day be free. Wanted respect for human rights and the dignity of the individual. That is what they envisioned. It became a center of education. It was a center for the elders to come prepare for the independent independence from spain. It was the last of the spanish colonies in the americas. Cuban people were eager to be independent. This was the first efforts by the cubans to free themselves from spain. It was led by carlos man u well the fifth man u well the fifth. He sold all of his properties, freezes slaves, and he dedicated freed his slaves, and dedicated it to cubans. The United States basically helped debilitate spain. Key west was an island that was to the mainland. There was more contact between key west and cuba than between key west and the rest of florida. In 1880 key west was the most populated city in the state of florida. The total population, around 20,000. They were mostly cubans. Spanish was the language, the big industry was teco tobacco. They would bring tobacco leaves from cuba. They would roll them in tobacco factories here in key west. They were able to sell the domesticproduct as a product to the american market. They avoided customs. Spaniards strived to demoralize the Cuban Community with the great fire of 1886. Spanish forces burned institute and several tobacco factories. Instill atrying to moral blow to the Cuban Community. Response was exclusionary exemplary. They went by the institute and they said would we allow our dreams to die . They said no. They put their resources together and said he would rebuild it. It on the main street in key west. Purchased this land where we are today. They built it. It was here that the tobacco theers recognized leadership of marti. In 1892. Ere he is cubas legendary patriot and poet. You talk about giving yourself totally to a cause, that was jose marti. After the defeat, they wanted to start another war to get spain out of the continent. Said to wait for the right moment. He wanted to have possibility of succeeding. Betweenated conflict old communityhe in key west who was ready to fight. Martis vision and respect for human life, it was such that he did not want to put anyone at in an effort where we did not have a chance to succeed. When he finally found the moment had come, he set the example by going to cuba. He was the first to die. 1895. Killed may 19 of battle. Is first his death marked the rest of cubas history. How different cuba have been if he had lived . The United States at that point when spain was very weekend weakened, the outofstate came in with the rough riders. It was the final push by the u. S. To eventually push spain out of the continent. Met war had incredible significance for the nine states United States. It was the first time to establish the u. S. As a world power. When cuba became an independent republic in 19 of two 19 of two, many of the key west cubans returned to be part of the new cuban republic that they envisioned. Unfortunately, that republic 1959 with the in communist takeover by fidel atrocities that have taken place since. The government remains in power to this day. It is still the dream of the cuban people to have a cuban republic that will put into action the ideals for related here at the institute. There is a lot of talk about normalization of populations between the u. S. And cuba, we all dream that a normalization a relations would mean ringing of freedom to the cuban people. I am concerned that all of the open cuba instead of a free cuba the cuba that is open for american businessmen to go and make money, instead of concern about the rights of the cuban people and the aspirations of the cuban people to be free and enjoy basic human rights that every human being is entitled to. Hear with this openness is we are going to be able to go and do business. That would be great if americans could go and do business. That is not the case. By feelhere, you play castros rules Fidel Castros rules