
Museo Regional de Historia de Aguascalientes
The history of Aguascalientes since prehistoric times up to Independence, in a magnificent Porfiriato-period (late nineteenth century) building, houses a collection covering archeology, the Christian religion, the Chichimeca War, the inland Camino Real with its silver ingots, the distant prison and the founding of the city.
The museum has been found on Venustiano Carranza street since its creation, one of the most symbolic, traditional and best preserved thoroughfares of the set of historical monuments in the capital of Aguascalientes. It is just a few steps away from the Cathedral and the Palace of Government. It was opened to the public in April 1988 and officially inaugurated on October 3 of the same year.
Most of this majestic building, which houses the museum, was built by the self-taught architect Refugio Reyes Rivas, and for decades its walls were witnesses to the daily history of a family residence. This type of building was typical of the city of Aguascalientes during the period from the eighteenth century until the beginning of the twentieth century. Recent research shows that the estate already existed at the end of the nineteenth century, but the main architectural work, which gave the building its own individual characteristics, was carried out by Reyes Rivas at the beginning of the twentieth century. In his architecture, he usually included elements from various styles, and is therefore described as eclectic. However, in this building, the Neoclassical style takes precedence. The decorative elements of the chapel and the Gothic-inspired wooden altarpiece are also particularly special.
The building has a hallway and a central patio with an archway; the former bedrooms, the domestic chapel and a large space which includes the dining room are found distributed along the hallway. In the second courtyard, which was originally very large, the service areas, vegetable garden and stables are found.
From the start of the 1950s until 1986, when the INAH took it under their care, the building was home to the Christopher Columbus school, an educational institution founded and run by the Adoratrices Perpetuas Guadalupanas nuns.
The Regional Museum of the History of Aguascalientes has a reputation for being very diverse, due to the variety of its collection and the themes it addresses, as it shelters and exhibits a collection which ranges from paleontological pieces, archeological pieces, viceregal objects and textiles, to ancient photographs, documents, weapons and civil and religious garments.
The museum’s paleontological tradition comes from the region - principally the Mooser collection - as do salvaged and donated paleontological items. In the archeological collection, pieces from the El Ocote site, very close to the city of Aguascalientes, stand out, as well as others from Chichimeca towns and salvaged archeological items. As for the historical pieces, particularly special are the majolica pieces, civil and governmental documents such as letters, notices, diaries and publications; photographs from the end of the nineteenth century and the start of the twentieth century from Aguascalientes, Zacatecas, Jalisco, San Luis Potosí and Mexico City, and, of course, the large collection of religious and civil textiles from the eighteenth to the twentieth centuries. Furthermore, the museum has viceregal artwork from both anonymous and famous authors, such as Juan Correa and Luis Berrueco, and a collection of more than 300 altarpieces or votive offerings from the mid-twentieth century.
Introductory Gallery
This first gallery presents the historical period of the Porfiriato and focuses on the emergence of artists from Aguascalientes, as well as the arrival of artists from other states who stood out for their skill and creativity.
This first gallery presents the historical period of the Porfiriato and focuses on the emergence of artists from Aguascalientes, as well as the arrival of artists from other states who stood out for their skill and creativity. Among them was master builder Refugio Reyes Rivas (originally from Sauceda de la Borda, Zacatecas), who at the beginning of the 20th century worked on the construction of the San Antonio de Padua Church and also intervened in the property that now houses the Regional History Museum of Aguascalientes. One of the most notable objects on display is a set of ruling pens, once used for drafting and architectural drawing, which was donated to the museum by Refugio Reyes’ family.
Archaeology
Archaeological research in the state of Aguascalientes has identified around one hundred ancient settlements inhabited between 600 and 900 CE. The gallery is divided into three sections. The first features two petroglyphs along with information about their forms and characteristics.
Archaeological research in the state of Aguascalientes has identified around one hundred ancient settlements inhabited between 600 and 900 CE. The gallery is divided into three sections. The first features two petroglyphs along with information about their forms and characteristics. The second and third sections exhibit fragments of objects that reveal the tools, garments, containers, and ornaments used by the ancient inhabitants of the region, as well as items that reflect cultural exchange between the central and Pacific regions of Mexico. Highlights include a necklace and marine shell trumpet, human skulls with cranial deformation, and a beautiful collection of ceramic vessels with geometric designs.
Chapel
Since the colonial era, domestic chapels were often part of a home’s architectural layout.
Since the colonial era, domestic chapels were often part of a home’s architectural layout. Even into the early 20th century, architects like Refugio Reyes continued the tradition of incorporating these intimate spaces for prayer and reflection in the homes they designed—such as the one that now houses the Regional History Museum of Aguascalientes. This gallery, dedicated to devotional objects, includes liturgical artifacts, religious garments, ex-votos, viceregal paintings, and ecclesiastical furniture. These pieces date from the late 17th century to the early 20th century. This gallery also houses the original altarpiece designed by Refugio Reyes specifically for this space.
Baroque
The museum holds a remarkable collection of viceregal paintings, and in this gallery, visitors can enjoy works created during the 17th and 18th centuries.
The museum holds a remarkable collection of viceregal paintings, and in this gallery, visitors can enjoy works created during the 17th and 18th centuries. Each piece is accompanied by educational materials such as infographics and timelines that provide historical context and help illustrate the period in which the artworks were created. The Baroque aesthetic movement not only shaped the visual arts but also had a profound influence on the daily lives of men and women in colonial Mexico.
The 19th Century gallery explores a turbulent period in Mexican history. It begins with the Independence movement led by Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla and continues through the political struggles between liberals and conservatives, culminating in the autonomy of Aguascalientes and its establishment as a state. Through the objects on display, visitors can observe the influence of European styles in clothing and everyday items. Notable pieces include a porcelain plate from Choisy le Roy and a bicorne hat worn by military officers during the Porfirian era.
- DirecciónLourdes Calíope Martínez Gonzálezlourdescaliope_martinez@inah.gob.mx+52 (449) 917 96 82Difusión y curaduríaPaola Daniela Ibarra Villapaola_ibarra@inah.gob.mx+52 (449) 916 52 28Comunicación EducativaAlejandra González Verdínalejandra_gonzalezv@inah.gob.mx+52 (449) 916 52 28MuseografíaRaquel de Primavera González Picassoraquel_gonzalez@inah.gob.mx+52 (449) 916 52 28AdministraciónMaría del Pilar Cruz Gonzálezpilar_cruz@inah.gob.mx+52 (449) 916 52 28

