AQUI VIVIERON 32 ESCLAVOS. UN RECORRIDO POR HACIENDA LEALTAD, LARES

Summary

In this video, the host is at a historic coffee plantation in Puerto Rico, dating back to 1828. The French founder brought 32 slaves from Haiti to establish a state-of-the-art coffee processing facility. Today, the plantation spans 600 acres, offering tours, a museum, and a hotel. They use a 19th-century water wheel to generate electricity, showcasing the site's commitment to sustainability. The tour includes a look at the main house, kitchen, and slave quarters, providing a glimpse into the past. The plantation is also renowned for its high-quality coffee, winning awards in global competitions.

Takeaways

• 🏰 The location is a historic coffee plantation estate dating back to 1828, founded by a Frenchman who came from Haiti.
• 🌍 The French founder brought 32 slaves with him, 21 of whom were bought from the international market and 11 were Africans.
• 🏞️ The estate spans 600 cuerdas (an old unit of land measurement) and includes a coffee project, hotel, museum, tours, and restaurants.
• ☕ The estate is known for its 'Supremos' coffee, which has won awards and is considered one of the best in Puerto Rico and globally.
• 🏡 The main house features a 'medio punto' structure, indicative of the wealth of the estate owner during that era.
• 🔧 The estate has a water-powered wheel, 17 feet in diameter, which was used to move the coffee benefit in 1828 and still operates today.
• 💧 The water for the wheel comes from a canal that is 1,500 feet long, leading from a large waterfall, demonstrating early hydroelectric power use.
• 🍳 The estate includes a kitchen for the slaves, which is described as more beautiful and larger than the servants' kitchen, reflecting the living conditions of the time.
• 🏺 There's a 1920s refrigerator that uses ammonia, showcasing early refrigeration technology that was cheaper and more effective than gas.
• 🎨 The estate has preserved many original artifacts, including a 1851 dining set and a gold-plated dinnerware set, reflecting the opulence of the estate's past.
• 🌿 The estate invites visitors to experience the beauty and history, offering a glimpse into Puerto Rico's coffee culture and agricultural heritage.

Q & A

Where is Luis located in the script?

Luis is located in a mountain area at a hacienda.

What is the historical significance of the hacienda mentioned in the script?

The hacienda was founded in 1828 by a Frenchman who came from Haiti and established a coffee processing facility that was advanced for its time.

How many slaves did the Frenchman bring with him when he founded the hacienda?

The Frenchman brought 32 slaves with him, of which 21 were bought from the international market and 11 were Africans.

What are some of the facilities and activities offered at the hacienda today?

The hacienda now offers a hotel, museum, tours, restaurants, and opportunities to buy coffee and snacks.

What was the purpose of the 'cabezas' or 'correderas' mentioned in the script?

The 'cabezas' or 'correderas' were used by women workers to hold coffee during drying. If it rained, they would protect the coffee from getting wet by using their hair.

How did the hacienda generate energy during its early years?

The hacienda used a water-powered wheel to generate energy for moving the entire coffee processing facility.

What is the diameter of the water wheel mentioned in the script?

The water wheel has a diameter of 17 feet.

How does the original water wheel from 1828 compare to its current state?

The original water wheel from 1828 still functions today, although the wheel itself had to be rebuilt, the gears are original and have never stopped turning.

What is the significance of the 'punto de la casa' structure mentioned in the script?

The 'punto de la casa' was a status symbol in the past, indicating the wealth of the hacienda owner. It was a central point of the house that showcased the architectural beauty.

What is the historical context of the kitchen and dining area for the slaves?

The kitchen and dining area for the slaves were separate from the main house, indicating a class distinction. The script mentions a kitchen for the servants that was closer to the main house and a separate, larger, and more modest kitchen for the slaves and their families.

What is special about the coffee produced at the hacienda today?

The hacienda produces a coffee brand called 'Supremos', which has won awards and is considered one of the best in Puerto Rico and internationally.