Overview
Its is located very close to the Lastarria . It was created in 1947. The exhibit in this museum focuses on the life of Benjamín Vicuña Mackenna, highlighting the period in which he was Intendant of Santiago, his trips around the world and his family life, without overlooking his facet as a historian, journalist and politician.
The museum houses an interesting collection of objects such as paintings, sculptures, furniture, books, manuscripts, photographs, clothing and kitchen utensils that belonged to Benjamín Vicuña Mackenna and his family.
The permanent exhibit includes objects that were part of the heritage of Benjamín Vicuña Mackenna and his family, supplemented by technical supports created to turn the exhibition into a didactic and attractive experience.
It is divided into three sections: his period as Intendant (1872-1875); his family life and trips around the world; and his facet as a historian, politician and journalist.
Highlights of the collection are his library, specializing in Chilean and world history, made up of over ten thousand volumes.
History
The Benjamín Vicuña Mackenna National Museum was founded in 1947, but was officially opened on November 21, 1957. Its main inspirer and organizer was Benjamín Vicuña Mackenna’s grandson, Eugenio Orrego Vicuña.
Located in the place where the family villa used to stand. The only building that remains of the original construction, erected around 1874, is the one where Vicuña Mackenna used to work and where his library and personal archive used to be, which was declared a Historic Monument in 1992. This building has been restored and given atmosphere with furniture that used to belong to his family. It is open to the public since 2011.
In its beginnings, the museum was a decontextualized collection of objects, but in 1998, its facilities were restructured and converted into a museographic space.
During his period as Intendant of Santiago, from 1872 to 1875, Vicuña Mackenna carried out and promoted important changes in the city, such as the transformation of Cerro Santa Lucía, stone paving of several streets, improving and modernizing the public streetlight system, the drinking water service, and safety, among other works.
Vicuña Mackenna, 94, Providencia.