“El Monitor de la Campaña” whispers from these walls. It echoes through time at the Museo del Periodismo Bonaerense.
Welcome to a place where ink and paper shaped a province. This museum honors Buenos Aires’ rich journalistic past. It stands as a testament to the power of the press.
Here in Capilla del Señor stands the Museo del Periodismo Bonaerense. It is more than just a museum. It is a portal to the past. It is a tribute to those who dared to write.
In 1871 Manuel Cruz began publishing “El Monitor de la Campaña”. This weekly paper covered rural Buenos Aires. Cruz was a schoolteacher. Carlos Lemée was an engineer. Together they started a journalistic endeavor.
“El Monitor” championed rural interests. It informed farmers of commercial needs. The paper had correspondents. They were spread across 36 towns. It was distributed freely.
After Cruz died in 1873 the paper continued briefly. Salvador Cruz and Carlos Figueras took over. The paper published its last edition on December 28, 1873. A total of 133 issues were made. They are now preserved in the Museo de La Plata.
In this very building “El Alfabeto Moral de la Juventud” was printed. Feliciano Cruz authored it. This was the first book ever published in the countryside.
The Museo del Periodismo Bonaerense opened on September 14, 1972. Alberto Pelusso was mayor. The government recognized “El Monitor’s” pioneering work. The province honored the paper with this museum.
The building itself dates back to 1850. It was Manuel Cruz’s home. Later his widow was gifted this house. It was a gift from grateful neighbors.
Inside the Museo del Periodismo Bonaerense you will find many things. There are documents about Exaltación de la Cruz’s history. Photos letters and clippings are displayed. They show the town’s past.
The museum also showcases local journalism’s history. Typewriters from different eras are displayed. One such machine is a French Lambert donated by the Mazzini family.
The Museo del Periodismo Bonaerense hosts temporary exhibits. These exhibits engage the community. They highlight cultural and social events in the district. A Washington Press is on display here.
Step into a recreated 18th-century kitchen. Imagine preparing food in this space. It was also used to receive guests. People shared long conversations here.
Household items donated by locals are on display. See an English washing machine from 1857. It used manual beating to wash clothes. The clothes were wrung through wooden rollers. There is also a sausage maker. This tool was essential for farms making pork products.
The Marinoni printing press is a highlight. It was imported from Paris before 1871. “El Monitor de la Campaña” was printed on it.
The Museo del Periodismo Bonaerense stands as a National Historic Landmark. It was declared so in 1994.
Today the Museo del Periodismo Bonaerense invites us to remember. It encourages us to reflect. It reminds us of the enduring power of words in shaping our world. This building safeguards history. It celebrates the spirit of journalism.