“Bittersweet Harvest: The Bracero Program, 1942-1964,” an exhibit detailing the journey of Mexican migrant workers during and after WWII, opens at the Greeley History Museum May 5. In this exhibit, visitors follow in the footsteps of the braceros as they left their homes, traveled across the border, and performed important, but back-breaking work across the United States.
The exhibit opening coincides with the 36th annual Cinco de Mayo Greeley Festival celebrations, taking place May 7 in downtown Greeley on 9th Street and 8th Avenue. Learn more at cincodemayogreeley.org.
“Bittersweet Harvest: The Bracero Program, 1942-1964,” runs at the Greeley History Museum until March 11, 2023.
The Largest Guest Worker Program in U.S. History
The Mexican Farm Labor Program, widely called the “Bracero Program,” began in 1942 and became the largest guest worker program in U.S. history. More than four million Mexican men entered the U.S. to work on short-term labor contracts. Their contributions shaped the future political, economic, and social climates of both countries.
The National Museum of American History organized “Bittersweet Harvest: The Bracero Program” in partnership with the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES) and received federal support from the Latino Initiatives Pool, administered by the Smithsonian Latino Center. All SITES photographs in this exhibit are by Leonard Nadal.
About the Greeley History Museum
The Greeley History Museum showcases and preserves Greeley and Weld County’s history through permanent and temporary exhibitions, educational programs, research, and collections. Check out the museum’s main exhibit, “Utopia: Adaptation on the Plains,” and then head over to one of the museum’s other galleries, which include rotating themes throughout the year.
For more information, visit greeleymuseums.com.
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