A 5-Phase Restoration Project Has Begun for the National Museum.

A trip through downtown San José is not quite complete without a stop at the National Museum. Bullet-ridden walls stand proudly along the street, remembering less peaceful times, while its interior overflows with jade, gold, and artisanal riches from the nation’s past and present. In order to preserve the museum’s important past and historic importance, an ambitious restoration project has just begun.

Over a total of five phases, the National Museum’s restoration is scheduled for completion in 2010. This will be the first such project in 50 years, and will completely renovate and preserve all museum spaces, even those reserved for public use. The restoration project has three important goals: structural restoration, electromechanical stability, and accessibility. “The principal objective of a restoration project is to preserve the building as close to its original state as possible,” general project coordinator and architect, Ronald Quesada, stated.

Before its current use as a museum, the building was used for military purposes, and between 1917 and 1948, it was the Bellavista headquarters. The Costa Rican army used the building for battle preparations, but also as a home for its commanding officers. The first restoration phase will rehab the “Casona de los Comandantes, or Commander’s Mansion, which is located in the building’s northeastern corner. The older quarters now serve as the museum’s administrative offices.

“These homes have not received any type of maintenance in over 50 years; that’s why they’ve suffered a major deterioration over time, as well as other threats like termites, humidity, and contamination,” Quesada said. The buildings are badly in need of restoration and improvements, suffering from corroded zinc, termite-eaten wood, water leaks, and walls and ceilings that have simply eroded over time.

During the first phase, Quesada’s restoration team will strive to maintain the casonas historical accuracy, preserving the integrity and old beauty of the building, while bringing it up to modern standards. First on the To Do list: the roof. “The amount of leaks and filtration puts the [museum's] collection and its visitors in danger. The main room was closed on August 11 and will remain closed for several months, while roof repairs are made,” the project manager said. Restoration on the administrative offices is scheduled to finish in January 2009.

When repairs to the National Museum are complete, the building’s historical splendor will be enjoyed by all. Indeed, the museum is one of the city’s most interesting buildings, offering beautiful stone work, castle turrets, and interesting lines not usually seen in San José. In addition, the building is an important part of Costa Rica history, and must be preserved for future generations of nationals and tourists, so that all may enjoy and understand Costa Rica’s rough road to the peace it now knows.

As work continues on Costa Rica’s Museo Nacional, keep in mind that certain areas may be closed to the public. To check on hours of operation, call 2233-7427 before you head out to enjoy the museum’s historical offerings.

This post's rating:

Related Stories

Filed under: Costa Rica News on August 13th, 2008