Jorge Zamanillo is the founding director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino, which Congress established in December 2020. In legislation establishing the museum within the Smithsonian, Congress stated the purpose of the museum is “to illuminate the story of the United States for the benefit of all by featuring Latino contributions to the art, history and culture of the nation since its early history.”

While the Smithsonian evaluates possible locations for the new museum, Zamanillo is providing leadership and strategic direction for the museum. In addition, he is guiding the museum’s comprehensive plan to preserve, document, display/interpret and promote knowledge of U.S. Latino history, art and culture. 

In this episode we go over what life is like in the museum business, where this passion of history came from for Jorge and if thinks history will indeed repeat itself. Stay tuned