The history of Lanzarote and San Antonio, Texas, is marked by a bond forged almost three centuries ago, when a group of Lanzarote families set out on a transatlantic voyage that would culminate in the founding of San Antonio in 1731. With the aim of preserving and sharing this legacy, the Museo Casa Torres in the Villa de Teguise is taking shape as a future interpretation centre for Canarian migration to Texas, a space where the memory of those pioneers will endure and strengthen the historical and cultural ties between the two regions.
A space for memory and identity
Located in Teguise, the Casa Torres is an 18th-century building declared an Asset of Cultural Interest (Bien de Interés Cultural) in 1985. Its restoration and conversion into a museum aims to rescue the history of the Canarian emigrants who, in the 18th century, were key to the building of San Antonio, taking part in the city's development and leaving an indelible mark on its identity.
The future museum will not only offer a permanent exhibition on migration, but will also serve as a cultural and academic meeting point between Lanzarote and Texas. Restoration work is under way with the support of experts in history and museography to ensure that the building's architecture and its contents faithfully reflect this heritage.
A project of international cooperation
Beyond its role as an interpretation centre, the Museo Casa Torres will establish partnerships with key institutions in Texas, such as the Alamo Museum and the Alamo Trust, to encourage cultural, academic and tourism exchange between the two regions. The Canary Islands – Texas Foundation is expected to play a fundamental role in the project's sustainability, ensuring its long-term impact.
With this initiative, Lanzarote not only recovers a part of its history, but also reinforces its cultural identity and its international profile, consolidating the Casa Torres as a symbol of the connection between the Canary Islands and America.