Museum of the City of Merida facts for kids

The Museum of the City of Merida (Spanish: Museo de la Ciudad de Mérida) is a cool place in Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico. It's filled with old objects and amazing historical pieces that tell the story of the city. You can learn about Merida from way before the Spanish arrived all the way up to today! The building itself is also super old and important, built during a time called the Porfiriate. The Porfiriate was a period in Mexico's history when Porfirio Díaz was president for a long time.

A Look at the Museum's History

The building where the Museum of the City is located is really special for Merida. It stands out because of its unique style and its long history. This grand building, sometimes called the Federal Palace, first opened its doors on May 5, 1908. This was during the time when Enrique Muñoz Arístegui was the governor. Over the years, this building has been used for many important things. It has housed offices for telegraphs, post offices, and even courts.

Building Design and Style

A military engineer named Salvador Echegaray designed and built this amazing place. He gave it a Neoclassical style, which means it looks a bit like ancient Greek and Roman buildings. It also has some French style touches. You can even see some modern ideas in how the walls were finished and the aluminum parts were made.

Inside the museum, there's a special display of items that show what the building was like when it was a post office. It's like stepping back in time!

Exploring the Exhibition Rooms

The Museum of the City has many cool things to see. There are about 150 permanent pieces on display. These pieces include very old historical items and amazing archaeological finds. All these treasures are spread out in four main rooms. Let's take a look at what you can find in each one!

Ancient Merida: Before the Spanish Arrived

This room takes you back in time to the ancient city of Merida. You'll see many pieces from before the Spanish arrived. Some of these items are even from the amazing Maya civilization. It's a great way to imagine what life was like long, long ago!

Merida During the Colony: New Spain Times

This room shows you objects from when Merida was first founded by the Spanish. You'll see items from daily life during that time, like tools and even old weapons. These pieces help you understand what Merida was like during the period of the Colony.

Merida in the 1800s and Early 1900s

In this room, you'll find items that show how Merida grew and developed. You can learn about the city's economic growth during this time. Other pieces tell stories about taxes, education, and the political mood of the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Merida in the 20th Century

This room is all about modern Merida! It has objects that show the city's culture, architecture, and sports. You'll also learn a lot about the special traditions that make Merida unique today.

Special Temporary Exhibitions

The museum also has temporary exhibitions, which usually happen on the first floor. These shows often feature different kinds of visual arts. You might see paintings, drawings, prints, photographs, sculptures, and even videos. They also create special themed exhibitions that share even more of Merida's rich history.

See also

In Spanish: Museo de la Ciudad de Mérida para niños