Jorge Zamanillo has been named the director of the National Museum of the American Latino well in advance of its opening, which is predicted to be in about 10 to 12 years. This is not an unusual timeline for a new Smithsonian museum; The National Museum of African American History and Culture was authorized in 2003 and was opened in 2016, while the National Museum of the American Indian was authorized in 1989 and opened in 2004. 

Authorization for the Museum of the American Latino was passed by Congress in an end-of-year spending bill in December of 2020. Passed alongside it was the authorization for the American Women’s History Museum. Funds allocated for building construction and collection procurement have yet to be announced. 

Zamanillo will take over this role on May 2, 2022 from Eduardo Diaz, who is currently serving as interim director. He is coming to the role from the HistoryMiami Museum, where he is currently the executive director and CEO. The HistoryMiami Museum is a Smithsonian Affiliate focused on the history of Miami. He has been at that museum in many different roles for 22 years, beginning his time with them as the curator of object collections. Prior to this, he worked as an archaeologist.

Zamanillo originally began his college career at Miami Dade as a music major. A visit to Washington D.C. and all of its museums changed his mind. He transferred to Florida State University and switched his major to anthropology. He received his bachelor’s from FSU and his master’s from England’s University of Leicester in museum studies. 

Zamanillo has said that the museum will cover the whole Latino experience in America, both the good and the bad. 

“The Latino experience is American history, and I want to make sure our story will be preserved for future generations. This museum will celebrate Latino accomplishments and resiliency through powerful stories that capture the adversity faced over centuries by Latinos in the U.S. and their perseverance to move forward and create a legacy,” Zamanillo said.

The museum’s first exhibit, ¡Presente! A Latino History of the United States, is currently in the works and will open this year. It will be housed in the National Museum of American History at the Molina Family Latino Gallery. The exhibit will feature stories with themes of identity and immigration and give a sense of what the National Museum of the American Latino will be like.