About the Project

The Guantánamo Public Memory Project seeks to build public awareness of the long history of the US naval station at Guantánamo, Bay, Cuba, and foster dialogue on the future of this place and the policies it shapes.

Started from Columbia University’s Institute for the Study of Human Rights, the Project was developed by an international collaboration of universities, organizations, and individuals.  It was first launched in 2009 from the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience and is now part of the Humanities Action Lab.  Support for the Project has come from National Dialogue and Traveling exhibit partners, the Libra Foundation, the New York Council on the Humanities, and the Open Society Foundations.

National Dialogue & Traveling Exhibit

The Project’s first traveling exhibit opened in New York City at NYU’s Kimmel Center for University Life Windows Gallery on December 13, 2012 and has since traveled to over 20 sites across the country and internationally.  The exhibit explores GTMO’s history from US occupation in 1898 to today’s debates and visions for its future.  It was created through a unique collaboration among nearly two dozen universities from around the country by student curators, communities, and people with first-hand experience at GTMO, who raised difficult questions and addressed them from diverse perspectives.  The exhibit is accompanied by public dialogues in each host community and is currently available.   Join the National Dialogue – Host the Exhibit!.

Project Partners

Project Partners each contribute unique resources to building a public memory of Guantánamo and fostering participation in the future of the place, its people, and its policies.

Memory and Action Partners

Organizations and networks documenting diverse aspects of GTMO’s past or campaigning for its present and future.

National Dialogue and Traveling Exhibit Partners

Universities across the country working with their students and communities to create the traveling exhibit, teach courses on GTMO, host public dialogues on how GTMO impacts on their community, and engage in national debate through the Project blog.

Collections Committee

Archives collaborating to preserve material about GTMO.

Historical Advisors