ENGLISH

Presently, the museum team is redesigning the main exhibition story, which is why you may find different temporary exhibits in the galleries. These are the exhibitions that you can visit. Welcome to the National Museum of History. We hope you enjoy the experience of going through our past.

The National Museum of History fosters reflection and debate on Argentine history through preservation, research, and exhibition of objects, art, historical documents, and cultural and educational activities.

Opening hours
Wednesday – Sunday: 11 am – 7 pm
(Last entry: 10 minutes before closing time)

Free entrance
Access ramp through park entrance

Time of the provinces

Ground Floor

Between 1820 and 1852, the provinces were the centre of political, economic and social life. During this period there was no national government, except for one that only lasted two years. The legacy of those three crucial and conflictive decades, in which Argentinian identity was built, was the emergence of a federal country.

>> go to translation section <<

Revolution Time

Ground Floor

A journey centered on the period between the May Revolution of 1810 and the consolidation of the South American independencies during the following decade. It displays outstanding objects of these defining years and concludes with General José de San Martín’s saber. 

>> go to translation section <<

Greatest hits - A Walk Around the National History Museum Collection

Ground Floor

An exhibition of objects of great historical value, grouped by different themes. The exhibition uses one idea as guide: it is the way we perceive the collection and the questions it raises what gives meaning to the objects and build their stories.

>> go to translation section <<

Painters of history

Ground Floor

By the late 19th century—when Argentina was consolidating as a country—some artists started to paint scenes of Argentinian history.These paintings sought to fill an image void—several major historic events such as May Revolution, the declaration of Independence in Tucumán, the crossing of the Andes and many others were not portrayed as they occurred. In a society that by the end of the 19th century was going through a process of modernization, there was a considerable demand for this kind of images for books and educational material. Moreover, works with historical themes aimed to transmit patriotic values, provide epic discourses for a new nation, highlight the virtues of past heroes and strengthen national identity. Despite having been created several years after the events they portray, these images are strongly associated with them in social imaginary.

>> Translations of this exhibition are on the labels <<

Back to voting

Ground Floor

It has been 40 years since the election campaign that marked the end of the last military dictatorship and inaugurated the longest period of democracy in Argentina. This campaign was a milestone in Argentinian political communication due to the importance given to the media and the marketing and propaganda strategies employed.

>> Translations of this exhibition are on the labels <<

The Building

The National Museum of History is located in San Telmo neighborhood, at the precise place where Don Pedro de Mendoza, Spanish conqueror, would have founded Buenos Aires back in 1536. The building and its surrounding gardens were built at the beginning of the XIX century. Around 1857, the property was bought and enlarged by José Gregorio Lezama. In 1889, the building hosted the City Museum and later, in 1891, officially became the National Museum of History. 

 Cannons Courtyards

The museum’s courtyards hold cannons and mortars from the XIX century. These weapons were of paramount importance during battle. Many of them were used in the Independency Wars (1810-1825).

Each cannon received a name, which can be seen engraved on its surface. These names give us a glimpse of the cultural values and perceptions of the times.