Perhaps the most captivating aspect of Parque Fernando Garcia is its unique blend of recreation and historical significance. Today we explore the Parque Fernando Garcia. It stands as the Museo del Carruaje y del Transporte.
In 1943 Fernando Garcia expressed his wishes in a will. Upon his death his property would be handed over to the Intendencia de Montevideo. Fernando Garcia passed away in 1945. His wishes were then carried out. In 1947 the park opened for public use and recreation.
Initially the collections within the park were not emphasized. Some items were even moved to other museums. The administration of the museum was under the Museo y Archivo Historico Cabildo. It lacked its own museographic vision.
In the 1990s local organizations began working on a management project for the park. In 2005 the Museo del Carruaje y del Transporte began independent operations. It started to highlight the importance of animal-drawn transport. The museum connected with the surrounding community.
Fernando Garcia was born in Uruguay in 1887. He was a businessman who imported whisky. He also owned a cigarette factory. Garcia was involved in politics. He was president of the Junta Departamental. He was also part of the Directorio del Banco Comercial. He served as Vice President of the Banco Hipotecario.
He possessed a large library and ethnographic collection. These items were donated to the Museo de Historia Natural. Garcia collected great works of art. He donated them to the Ministerio de Educacion y Cultura. His collection included 400 works by Uruguayan painters including Juan Manuel Blanes.
Upon his death Garcia bequeathed his estate to the Intendencia de Montevideo. The estate included 17 hectares of parkland and five buildings.
The Parque Fernando Garcia initially served as a recreational space. It now houses the Museo del Carruaje y del Transporte. Its park buildings and collection of carriages are among the most important in America. It is a meeting point for residents.
In the 1930s Fernando Garcia bought a large property from Francisco Piria. It was located near Bañados de Carrasco. The surrounding park was designed by French landscape architect Carlos Racine. He also designed Parque Roosevelt and Rosedal del Prado. The park featured avenues lined with palm trees and pine forests. There was a fruit tree plantation and an artificial lake. Swans seals and pelicans lived there.
The Parque Fernando Garcia is one of the oldest institutions in Bañados de Carrasco. It is one of the only museums dedicated to transport and carriages in Montevideo. The park the chalet and the stables represent Montevideo’s cultural architectural and landscape heritage. The coach houses along with thirty-two carriages and an old tram are the main material assets of the institution.
The institution has a permanent exhibition of carriages and a photographic exhibition. Current photographic exhibitions focus on trades. They also showcase projects related to the restoration of trades and replicas of carriages.
The carriage exhibition includes a Landau that belonged to Juan Lindolfo Cuestas. Also featured are two volantas that belonged to General Maximo Santos. You can also see a Berlin of Juan D Jackson. A Break de Chasse by Fernando Garcia was used in the parade of the 1928 Olympic champions. Cabriolets Coupes Buggys Cabs Landaulets Milords and a large collection of Volantas can be appreciated.
Outside the museum is a horse-drawn tram. It belonged to the Compañía del Tranvía de la Unión y Maroñas. It is the only example in the country.
The chalet faces Camino Carrasco. It was built in the 1930s as a weekend retreat for the Garcia family. Today it houses the institution’s administration and a photographic exhibition. Visitors can explore the trades related to carriage making and horse handling.
The coach house displays various types of period carriages. They were used by high society over the last two centuries. The stables feature a combination of stone pressed brick and wood. They have 12 stalls with hardwood sides and incense wood gates with wrought iron locks. The mezzanine was once used to store alfalfa. Many thoroughbred light draft and saddle horses were kept in the stables. The stables are currently being restored. They house draft horses used for equine therapy activities.
So as you leave the Parque Fernando Garcia consider the layers of history. Consider the blend of recreation culture and heritage.