Since the 1920’s, the City of Philadelphia has been an
enclave for Latino immigrant workers in the manufacturing sector, and a vibrant
Latino –mainly Puerto Rican community was formed. The largest wave of Puerto
Ricans to Philadelphia was in the decades of the 50’ and 60’s when they arrived
mainly via the farms of NJ, the island of Puerto Rico or the cities of New York
and Chicago. … At that time there were many factories in North Philadelphia and
near the piers, especially the sector of Northern Liberties where they worked and
lived. In the 1950’s major Puerto Rican neighborhoods evolved around jobs,
civic centers, small businesses and church in the sectors of Kensington,
Northern Liberties, Spring Garden and Southwark. Similar to other communities,
the loss of manufacturing jobs in the late 60’s and the return of veterans from
the war left many without work forcing many to get on welfare or engage in
informal economies to sustain.. During the late 60’s and early 70’s a small
group of Puerto Rican artists realized the need and importance of creating a gathering
space to promote and practice Puerto Rican arts and culture. It was also an
effort to teach youth, especially Puerto Rican youth about their culture
through the rich tradition of Puerto Rican arts.. That is how Taller was formed and came alive.
