“A treasure trove of knowledge and history awaits,” I say. The Biblioteca y Museo Popular Juan Nepomuceno Madero stands before us. It is more than just a building. It is a testament to San Fernando’s commitment to culture and community.
Founded in 1873, the Biblioteca y Museo Popular Juan Nepomuceno Madero is one of Argentina’s oldest libraries. Dr. Amancio Alcorta and other prominent locals wanted to create a library in San Fernando. Juan N. Madero gathered books and donations as president of the protective society.
The Biblioteca y Museo Popular Juan Nepomuceno Madero first opened on January 18, 1874. It was in a small room at the Escuela de Varones nro 1. The library started with 2632 books. Many locals could not read. The Biblioteca y Museo Popular Juan Nepomuceno Madero held public readings. Members of the board or educated neighbors read aloud. They read moral, enjoyable, and educational books on holidays for the public.
In 1876, the Biblioteca y Museo Popular Juan Nepomuceno Madero moved to the municipal building’s ground floor. A small museum and a bookbinding workshop were added. The workshop helped children from poor families learn a trade. In 1906, the Biblioteca y Museo Popular Juan Nepomuceno Madero bought land at Constituci\u00f3n and General Pinto streets. The current building was built there. The cornerstone was laid in 1910. The Biblioteca y Museo Popular Juan Nepomuceno Madero was inaugurated on January 29, 1922.
Architects Est\u00e9vez and Vel\u00e1squez designed the classical building. It covers 1,000 square meters. It is one of San Fernando’s most important architectural works. A sculpture of Juan N. Madero stands in the front garden. Lucio Correa Morales created it. He is considered Argentina’s first sculptor.
Today, the Biblioteca y Museo Popular Juan Nepomuceno Madero holds around 100,000 books including historically valuable pieces. A newspaper archive is open to researchers. It is a major local repository of books and documents.
The Biblioteca y Museo Popular Juan Nepomuceno Madero also houses a museum. It is the first of its kind in the country. Among the valuable historical items are the desks of former Argentine Presidents Bernardino Rivadavia and Nicol\u00e1s Avellaneda. Also displayed is the spoon used to lay the foundation stone of La Plata. Dardo Rocha, then governor of Buenos Aires, donated it.
The Biblioteca y Museo Popular Juan Nepomuceno Madero plans to move the museum. It will be moved to a new area next to the original building. The current space is too small. The newspaper archive and the complete collection of Caras y Caretas magazine will also be moved.
Many important people have visited the Biblioteca y Museo Popular Juan Nepomuceno Madero. They include Domingo F. Sarmiento and Jorge Luis Borges. The Biblioteca y Museo Popular Juan Nepomuceno Madero hosts cultural events like conferences and concerts. It also offers courses such as English, computer skills, and chess.
The Biblioteca y Museo Popular Juan Nepomuceno Madero is a living monument. It showcases San Fernando’s rich history and dedication to knowledge.