Museo Casa Juárez facts for kids
The Museo de la Lealtad Republicana (which means Museum of Republican Loyalty) is also known as the Museo Casa Juárez. It's an old building from the 1800s in the heart of Chihuahua, Mexico. This museum was once the home and office of President Benito Juárez. He lived and worked here when he had to leave Mexico City. At that time, Maximilian was trying to rule Mexico as an Emperor, with help from the French army. So, for a while, this building was like the unofficial National Palace of Mexico!
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A Building with a Long History
This building has seen many changes over the years. In 1826, the local government bought the land. They wanted it to be the main government building for the state. It served as the Government Palace until a new one was built in 1892.
President Juárez's Home
On October 12, 1864, something very important happened. President Benito Juárez arrived in Chihuahua. He was escaping from the French army that had invaded Mexico. He set up his government here, far from the fighting. This was his "government-in-exile."
President Juárez lived and worked from this palace. He led the country from here until December 1866. He left Chihuahua when the French army and the Second Mexican Empire were almost completely defeated.
From Palace to School
After President Juárez left, the building went back to being the Government Palace. But then, a new, bigger palace was built nearby. So, the Casa Juárez found a new purpose. It became a school!
First, it was a girls' school called Escuela Municipal Nro 3. Then, its name changed to Escuela Oficial Nro 140. Later, it was proudly renamed Escuela Benito Juárez. It kept this name from 1926 until 1967, when the school finally closed.
Becoming a Museum
In 1972, people remembered that it was 100 years since Benito Juárez had passed away. The authorities decided to turn the old building into a museum. Many of the original items and furniture from Juárez's time were gone.
However, the state government worked hard for many years. They found some original pieces. They also found other old items that looked just like what Juárez would have used.
In the year 2000, all the restoration work was finished. The building opened its doors as the Museo de la Lealtad Republicana. Now, visitors can learn about this important time in Mexico's history.
See also
- Chihuahua City
- Museums of Chihuahua
