Was it fate that brought Bartolomé Mitre to this very house? The Museo Mitre stands before us. It is more than just a building. It’s a portal to Argentina’s past.
The Museo Mitre started as a Spanish colonial house. It was built in 1785. This house first enters Argentine history in a surprising way. It sheltered Baltasar Hidalgo de Cisneros. He was the last Viceroy of Río de la Plata. He sought refuge here after the May Revolution of 1810.
Fast forward to 1860. General Bartolomé Mitre rented this house. He lived here while serving as Argentina’s sixth president from 1862 to 1868.
Locals admired Mitre. In 1868, they bought the house. They gifted it to him. This was to honor his presidency and his work toward national unity. Mitre lived here until his death in 1906.
From 1870 to 1895, this house was also home to La Nación. It is one of Argentina’s oldest newspapers. Imagine the news being written and printed right here.
In June 1907, the National Government purchased the house. On June 3, 1907, the Museo Mitre opened its doors. Its first director was Alejandro Rosa. He and Mitre had founded the Western Hemisphere Historic and Numismatic Society in 1893. The society was located in the museum from 1918 until 1971.
The Museo Mitre boasts an immense historic archive. It holds about 53,200 files. These files largely came from Bartolomé Mitre’s personal collection. The library holds about 100,000 items. These include books, magazines, CDs, DVDs, and microfilms.
The Museo Mitre became a National Historic Monument on May 21, 1942. Today, the National Secretariat of Culture maintains it. You may even spot the museum on some Argentine two peso bills.
As you wander through the Museo Mitre, consider the layers of history within these walls. From colonial refuge to presidential home to a vital museum, it embodies Argentina’s journey. It is a lasting tribute to Bartolomé Mitre’s legacy.