Portuguese Cultural Association records (MSS-0038)

Biographical/Historical Note

The Portuguese Cultural Association (PCA) was founded by George Amaral in 1959 as a non-profit organization for the purpose of promoting civic, cultural, economic, educational, and social welfare of Portuguese and Americans of Portuguese extraction. It was incorporated in 1965, and, at that time, administration included a president, George Amaral, first vice-president, Anthony H. Maciel, second vice president, Alfred J. Coelho, treasurer, Manuel Machado, recording secretary, William A. Castro, correspondence secretary, Edward C. Martin, and a board of directors. They were based in East Providence, Rhode Island. Events organized by the PCA included Portuguese Heritage Day, exhibitions at the RISD Museum, awards dinners, lectures on Portuguese studies, performances of Portuguese fado, symphony concerts, film festivals, bus trips to restaurants and Carnaval do Brasil, the April in Portugal Ball, and various other meetings. The Portuguese Cultural Association disbanded in the early 1980s.