Description of the attraction
The building of the Historical Museum, built in 1892 by the famous 19th century architect Jose Viera, is located next to the Plaza de Armas in the center of La Serena. The construction of a two-story house with a protruding adobe cornice was carried out on a site that belonged to the founder of the city, Francisco de Agira. The architectural style of the building is eclectic.
The museum is named after the former President of Chile, Gabriel Gonzalez Videla, who was born in La Serena and gave the city a second life by creating an urban renewal plan for the city.
From 1927 to 1973, the family of President Gonzalez lived in this building. In 1977, the property was purchased by the municipality of La Serena. In 1981, the building was declared a Chilean National Monument. In 1984, the La Serena Museum of History and Art was founded to pay tribute to the former president and to study, preserve and display his work.
The collection of the museum consists of 3,500 exhibits, divided into two themes: history and fine arts.
In the history section, the exhibition displays everything that surrounded President Gabriel Gonzalez I saw during his lifetime: furniture, documents, family photos, videos, awards, a layout of his architectural plan in La Serena. Regional history is also widely covered: household items of residents of the Coquimbo and La Serena region. Costumes of the 19th and 20th centuries, sculptures from the island of Rapa Nui (moai culture), paintings on a religious theme made of metal and clay.
The fine arts section includes a gallery donated by Oscar Praguer, divided into two expositions. The second floor hosts temporary exhibitions by contemporary artists, as well as permanent exhibitions, including works by Pablo Picasso and Juan Miro.
Also featured are books written by local authors about the history and culture of the region, which can be purchased by museum visitors. Training workshops related to cultural heritage are held.
