Casa de Tucumán facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Casa Histórica de Tucumán |
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Casa histórica de la independencia
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Casa Histórica de Tucumán, site of the Argentine declaration of independence
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| General information | |
| Town or city | San Miguel de Tucumán |
| Country | Argentina |
The Casa Histórica de Tucumán (which means "Historical House of Tucumán" in Spanish) is a very important building and museum in San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina. It was built a long time ago, when Argentina was a colony of Spain.
This house is famous because the Congress of Tucumán met here during the Argentine War of Independence. On July 9, 1816, they made the Argentine Declaration of Independence in this very house. Years later, the government took ownership of the house. Parts of it had to be taken down because it was in bad shape. In 1941, it was named a National Historic Monument of Argentina. After that, it was rebuilt to look like its original design, but with simpler details.
Contents
The Story of the Independence House
Early Days of San Miguel de Tucumán
The city of San Miguel de Tucumán was first started in 1565. Later, in 1685, it was moved to its current spot for important reasons. In Spanish colonial cities, there was always a main plaza (a town square). The most important buildings were around this plaza. The city was planned like a checkerboard, with streets forming squares. Each square was divided into four parts, given to a local resident.
The land where the Casa de Tucumán stands today belonged to Diego Bazán y Figueroa. The house itself was built in 1760 by Francisca Bazán and Miguel Laguna.
The War for Independence
The Argentine War of Independence started in 1810. A big battle, the battle of Tucumán, happened near the city on September 24, 1812. The Laguna-Bazán family was not living in the house then. It was used as a place for soldiers from the Army of the North to stay.
In 1815, the government started using the house for customs and military supplies. They paid the owners for this. The Congress of Tucumán began meeting in 1816. This was a gathering of leaders from most parts of what was then called the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata.
People used to believe the family gave the house to the government for free. They also thought other families donated furniture. But a historian named Ramón Leoni Pinto showed in 1974 that the house was actually rented. The furniture was made for the event by enslaved people.
The Congress started its work on March 1, 1816. They declared Argentina's independence on July 9 of that year. The Congress continued to meet there until February 1817, when it moved to Buenos Aires.
Changes Over Time
After the Congress left, the government still rented the house. It was used as a place for printing. Soon after, the family moved back in. They only rented out the two front rooms. Carmen de Zabalía, a granddaughter of the original builders, inherited the house in 1839. She tried to fix it up.
The humid weather in Tucumán and the building materials made the house fall apart quickly. The family did not have enough money to keep it in good shape. By 1869, the house was very old and damaged. That year, Ángel Paganelli took the first known photos of it. He took a picture of the front door and another of the inner courtyard.
In 1869, the Argentine National Congress passed a law. This law allowed the government to take ownership of the house and pay for its upkeep. The government slowly took over the house, finishing the process in 1874. This happened during the time of President Nicolás Avellaneda, who was from Tucumán.
Government engineers were put in charge of the house. They kept only the "hall of the oath," which was the room where independence was declared. They tore down the rest of the building. A new building was put up for the city's mailing service.
Later, President Julio Argentino Roca, also from Tucumán, approved a plan. This plan was to tear down the outer building and put a protective structure around the independence hall. This would keep it safe from the weather. People could enter the hall through a special entrance with two sculptures. These sculptures were made by Lola Mora. One showed the declaration of independence, and the other showed the May Revolution. This event started the war for independence. The hall also became the main place for yearly celebrations of independence day on July 9.
Reconstruction and Modern Era
The Casa de Tucumán was officially named a National Historic Monument of Argentina in 1941. A representative from Tucumán, Ramón Paz Posse, suggested rebuilding the house to look like its original form. The rebuilding work used Paganelli's old photos, records from the 1870s, and the old foundations found underground.
The work started in 1942. The rebuilt house opened on September 24, 1943. This date was the anniversary of the Battle of Tucumán. The new walls were made of bricks instead of adobe (a type of mud brick). The roof's reeds were tied with leather. The doors were not painted at first because no one knew their original color.
On July 9, 1947, President Juan Domingo Perón declared Argentina's economic independence in the house. This happened after Argentina paid off all its foreign debts. On February 15, 1971, a group entered the house and painted messages in the main hall. They quickly left after authorities reacted.
Special Events Today
Since 1992, the city of San Miguel de Tucumán is named the capital city of Argentina every July 9. The yearly celebration of independence is a big event. The president of Argentina, the governor of Tucumán province, their teams, and special guests all attend.
The Casa de Tucumán is now a museum. Every evening, a special light and sound show tells the story of the declaration of independence. The show ends with the national anthem. It is played in front of the Argentine flag, with Lola Mora's sculptures on each side.
In 2016, Argentina celebrated 200 years since the declaration of independence. Plans were announced to update the museum.
Images for kids
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Casa Histórica de Tucumán, site of the Argentine declaration of independence
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Hall of the Argentine Declaration of Independence, with portraits of the voting representatives.
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First known photo of the Casa de Tucumán, taken by Ángel Paganelli in 1869.
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Entrance to the room where the Independence was declared, by Angel Paganelli, 1869.
See also
In Spanish: Casa de Tucumán para niños
