Hacienda Lealtad, Coffee plantation museum in Lares, Puerto Rico.
Hacienda Lealtad is a former coffee plantation in Lares that retains original buildings and exhibition spaces focused on Puerto Rican agriculture and land use. A greenhouse on the property demonstrates how coffee was historically grown and processed.
The plantation was founded in 1830 by French immigrant Juan Bautista Plumley and became a center of coffee production in the region. During the Spanish colonial period, enslaved workers were forced to labor on these lands, a legacy that shaped Puerto Rico's economic history.
The chapel here displays stained glass windows and displays furniture that once belonged to José de Diego, an important Puerto Rican statesman and writer. Visitors can see how daily life unfolded on a working coffee estate during that era.
Visitors should wear sturdy shoes and bring weather-appropriate clothing, as the grounds require walking through various areas of the restored property. Guided tours are the best way to see the plantation and understand how each building and garden section functioned.
After Hurricane Maria struck in 2017, local workers and community members undertook the restoration of this damaged property over several years. The rebuilding effort demonstrates how a community can take direct action to preserve its own historical heritage.
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