Imagine a love story unfolding right here at Quinta Los Ombúes. This historic house whispers tales of forbidden romance and Argentine history. Quinta Los Ombúes stands as a testament to time and love. It is located in San Isidro, Buenos Aires Province.
Back in 1580 Juan de Garay divided land among the first settlers. Pedro de la Torre received this land. It was much larger then. Quinta Los Ombúes functioned as agricultural land. Wheat was its primary crop. Domingo de Acassuso later acquired part of the land. He intended it for the San Isidro Labrador Cathedral. Cecilio Sánchez de Velazco acquired another half. His daughter Mariquita Sánchez de Thompson inherited it in 1812.
Around 1700 the original Quinta Los Ombúes was constructed. Mariquita spent her childhood here. Her father disapproved of her relationship with Martín Jacobo Thompson. He confined her to this house. Thompson secretly sought her out. Later, she was sent to a monastery. Thompson died in 1819. He was returning from the United States. Mariquita then married Washington de Mendeville.
Mariquita sold the property in 1829. She had accumulated debts after her marriage. She wanted to buy it back later. However, its location near the Río de la Plata made it too expensive.
In 1867 Pascuala Beláustegui acquired Quinta Los Ombúes. She was the wife of Felipe Arana. He served as Foreign Minister. Eduardo Lahitte owned it by 1872. Cosme Beccar and María Varela rented the property. They finally bought it in 1881. Their children created the Beccar Varela family.
The Beccar Varela family shaped its current appearance. They added an Andalusian garden and Seville tiles. Pinotea wood was used for the floors. They added a well too. It replaced an existing one. The courtyard did not exist originally. The Beccar Varelas were descendants of Florencio Varela. They installed the planks from his assassination in the patio. It became a family relic.
Horacio Beccar Varela passed away at Quinta Los Ombúes in 1949. He stipulated in his will that the house be bequeathed to the municipality after the death of his last child. This occurred in 2006.
In 2006 the Quinta Los Ombúes opened as a museum. It houses a museum dedicated to the Beccar Varela family. Also, it includes the municipal archive and library. These were previously located in Fernando Alfaro’s old residence. The bedrooms now serve as museum rooms. They narrate the history of San Isidro. The dining room and main hall display objects from the Beccar Varela family. Items from Mariquita Sánchez de Thompson are also exhibited.
Manuel Mujica Lainez spent a summer here in the 1960s. The Beccar Varelas invited him. Quinta Los Ombúes inspired his poems and stories.
Since 2007 Quinta Los Ombúes has been a National Historic Monument. This provides heritage protection.
Step back in time as you wander through the rooms. Imagine Mariquita Sánchez de Thompson. Picture her forbidden rendezvous. Feel the echoes of history and love. Quinta Los Ombúes stands as a tribute to a bygone era. It is a place where stories come alive. Take a moment to appreciate its beauty.