The Spanish legacy in the United States is the result of over three centuries of exploration and settlement, and the presence of a culture influenced by the viceroyalty of New Spain established in Mexico. Many of the initiatives of the Spanish Crown left their mark on US culture, economy, religion and art, as well as in place names. The Spanish contribution to the Independence of the United States of America and the discovery and exploration of the Pacific - an early example of globalization - are also an aspect of this legacy. Visitors to the collections exhibited here will find a series of examples that reflect this continuing historical legacy.