
Museo Casa de Carranza
The Casa de Carranza Museum is distinguished both for its history and its architecture. The residence not only preserves the memory of Venustiano Carranza, but also offers a window into early 20th-century Mexico, when politics, culture, and social change were in full swing. It is interesting how the house reflects the contrast between the heyday of the Porfiriato, with its luxury and European sophistication, and the historical context of the Mexican Revolution, which broke with that established order.
The transition of the place from a private residence to a museum dedicated to constitutional laws and constituent deputies shows how the importance of the 1917 Constitution and Carranza's legacy in Mexico's political history has been recognized. This process not only has symbolic value, but also offers a space for reflection on the issues that marked that era, such as social rights, land, and education.
In 1908, engineer Manuel Stampa built his family home, with all the luxuries and comforts of the upper class during the Porfiriato era. In 1913, as a result of the Decena Trágica (Tragic Ten Days), the family was forced to abandon it, and it was occupied by General Felipe Ángeles as headquarters for the federal troops under his command, due to its proximity to the Colonia train station and with the idea that he would defend President Madero from the rebellion of Bernardo Reyes, Félix Díaz, Manuel Mondragón, and Victoriano Huerta.
By 1915, after the Villostas and Zapatistas were evicted from the capital, the Stampa family returned to the house and lived there until 1918. The following year, President Venustiano Carranza rented it and lived on the property before leaving Mexico City to establish the provisional government in Veracruz after the Agua Prieta rebellion led by Plutarco Elías Calles, Adolfo de la Huerta, and Álvaro Obregón. However, he was assassinated in Tlaxcalantongo on May 21, 1920. Carranza's body was taken to the house a few days later, where it was laid in state in the living room before being taken to the Dolores Cemetery.
In later years, the house was rented to the embassies of France and El Salvador. In the early 1940s, it was remodeled to become the Historical Museum of the Constitution and Constitutional Laws and the headquarters of the Association of Constitutionalist Deputies in 1917, Library, and Newspaper Library. Finally, in 1961, it became the Carranza House Museum, dedicated to the private and public life of the leader of the Revolution. The building is also listed as a historical monument, as it retains its original features such as wooden floors, domes, hand-painted leaded glass windows, molded friezes, and a beautiful flying buttress in the middle of the lobby, among other elements. In February 1993, it joined the network of museums of the National Institute of Anthropology and History.
In the museum's thirteen rooms with permanent exhibitions, visitors can admire a collection of 3,400 objects, including items such as books, photographs, period furniture, and personal effects belonging to the “Baron of Cuatro Ciénegas.” The rooms on the ground floor, arranged as galleries, include the lobby, the antechamber, the living room (where the dignitary's wake was held), the dining room, and the kitchen, as well as a gallery with oil paintings by Gerardo Murillo “Dr. Atl,” Salvador R. Guzmán, and Jorge González Camarena. On the upper floor, visitors can explore the bedrooms, personal library, and historical rooms containing information about Carranza's family life and political career, with special emphasis on his greatest legacy: the promulgation of the 1917 Constitution.
Every corner of the house seems to tell a crucial part of Mexico's history, especially during the tumultuous years of the Mexican Revolution. This place has witnessed not only the political conflicts of the time, but also the historical moments of the country and the lives of illustrious figures and revolutionary leaders.
The house itself has symbolic significance, not only because of Carranza, but also because of the different historical moments it witnessed. The fact that it was the scene of fighting between factions, Huerta's betrayal, and then the place where Carranza spent his last days, makes this house a direct witness to the transformations that defined modern Mexico.
Its connection to embassies and foreign policy, as well as its subsequent use as the headquarters of the Association of Constitutionalist Deputies, reflects the importance of the place as a symbol of constitutionalism and the values that drove the Revolution. In addition, architectural details such as the original wooden floors, dome, and stained-glass windows not only speak to the taste and opulence of the era, but also to how the house has managed to preserve its essence despite the political and social changes it has undergone.
The permanent exhibition of Carranza's personal belongings, his effects, period furniture, and paintings by artists give a very human touch to history, helping visitors connect not only with major historical events, but also with the daily lives and personal experiences of those involved. In addition, it is the space that houses the largest and most important collection of Carranza's belongings and pieces that are so significant to the country's history, such as the Plan de Guadalupe.
Anteroom
The antechamber served as a waiting and meeting area before entering the main areas of the house and was used to receive people outside the family, especially those who had business dealings with the owner of the house.
The antechamber served as a waiting and meeting area before entering the main areas of the house and was used to receive people outside the family, especially those who had business dealings with the owner of the house.
Its location, close to the entrance, ensured that the privacy of the home remained intact. Today, it retains period furniture and pieces that evoke the social and political life of the early 20th century.
On display in this space are:
- A model of the Lighthouse Building in Veracruz, seat of Carranza's government between 1914 and 1915.
- A scale replica of the statue located in front of that building.
- A pastel portrait of Carranza with Félix F. Palavicini, by Gerardo Murillo, Dr. Atl.
Room
The living room was the main space for socializing and receiving acquaintances, friends, and family. It was connected to the antechamber to expand the area during receptions or parties.
The living room was the main space for socializing and receiving acquaintances, friends, and family. It was connected to the antechamber to expand the area during receptions or parties. It retains the original furniture of the Stampa family, evoking the elegance of Porfirian and early 20th-century residences and showcasing the domestic and social environment of that era.
This space displays:
- A portrait of Venustiano Carranza, by the painter Ignacio Rosas
- Louis XV-style furniture, including armchairs, tables, and lamps, all covered in gold leaf
- A coffee table with representations of nymphs and a wind-up clock on the false fireplace, with an Art Nouveau-style case
- Decorative and handcrafted objects that reflect the refined taste of the period
Dining room
The dining room was used for special lunches and dinners for the Carranza family, while everyday meals were eaten in the kitchen. It still has its original early 20th-century hardwood floors and furniture, reflecting the elegance and taste for European style of Porfirian residences.
The dining room was used for special lunches and dinners for the Carranza family, while everyday meals were eaten in the kitchen. It still has its original early 20th-century hardwood floors and furniture, reflecting the elegance and taste for European style of Porfirian residences. The sectioned table could be lengthened or shortened depending on the number of guests, adapting to the size of family or social gatherings.
Also on display are tableware, glassware, and decorative objects that allow visitors to appreciate the protocol and customs of the time. Of particular note is the counterweight clock, capable of chiming to imitate the sounds of Westminster's Big Ben, Saint Michael, or Whittington, reflecting the influence of European culture on home décor.
This space offers visitors a detailed glimpse into the social and family life of the Mexican elite in the historical context of the Porfiriato and the Mexican Revolution.
Kitchen
The kitchen seeks to recreate its original appearance during the Carranza family's residence, showcasing everyday life and domestic practices in the early 20th century.
The kitchen seeks to recreate its original appearance during the Carranza family's residence, showcasing everyday life and domestic practices in the early 20th century. It preserves a hood, two stoves, clay pots, kitchen utensils, and a wooden refrigerator, the predecessor of modern gas refrigerators, which illustrate technological evolution in the home.
The tile floor and original furniture provide insight into the organization of the space, culinary habits, and the importance of domestic work in family life. Through these objects, visitors can appreciate how food was prepared and how the kitchen connected to the dining room and other areas of the house.
Lobby
The lobby welcomes visitors with an elegant early 20th-century design, characterized by wooden floors and decorative stained glass windows.
The lobby welcomes visitors with an elegant early 20th-century design, characterized by wooden floors and decorative stained glass windows.
This is the entrance hall and distribution area leading to the different rooms, a feature typical of upper-class European residences that was adopted in Mexico in the early 20th century. This space displays pieces that pay tribute to Venustiano Carranza and the Constituent Congress of 1917.
- Portrait of Carranza, by Gerardo Murillo, Dr. Atl
- Equestrian portrait of Carranza, painted by Salvador Guzmán, constituent deputy and president of the Association of Constituent Deputies
- Portrait of Carranza drawn by cartoonist Ernesto García Cabral, El Chango Cabral
- Pencil portrait of the First Chief, by engraver Raúl Anguiano
Bedroom of the Aguilar-Carranza couple
The bedroom was occupied by General Cándido Aguilar and Virginia Carranza Salinas, who shared this space during their visits to the family residence.
The bedroom was occupied by General Cándido Aguilar and Virginia Carranza Salinas, who shared this space during their visits to the family residence. Aguilar, governor of Veracruz, spent the week in that state, while on weekends he would meet up with his wife, her parents, and his sister, Julia Carranza.
The room retains its original furniture, such as the double bed, wardrobes, and dressing table, and displays photographs of the wedding and other personal items that reflect the family's private life, routine, and lifestyle. The room offers visitors an intimate glimpse into the domestic life and family life of the Mexican elite in the early 20th century.
Julia Carranza's bedroom
The second bedroom was occupied by Julia Carranza, Venustiano Carranza's eldest unmarried daughter. This space reflects Julia's private life, preserving furniture, personal objects, and details that reveal her routine and tastes.
The second bedroom was occupied by Julia Carranza, Venustiano Carranza's eldest unmarried daughter. This space reflects Julia's private life, preserving furniture, personal objects, and details that reveal her routine and tastes. Of particular note is an embroidered landscape painting, her own work, which reflects her love of handicrafts.
Among the historical objects linked to the family, this space offers visitors an insight into Julia's personal life and artistic sensibility.
Venustiano Carranza's bedroom
The third bedroom was occupied by Venustiano Carranza and still contains the furniture and personal items that give us a glimpse into his private life.
The third bedroom was occupied by Venustiano Carranza and still contains the furniture and personal items that give us a glimpse into his private life. The room includes the bed, wardrobes, dressing table, and decorative details that reflect the style and elegance of early 20th-century residences.
Among the objects on display are some of his personal clothing, the famous “Mundos” travel trunk, nicknamed for its large capacity, and a painting in which the president appears with his horses Bayo and Monarca.
Family photographs are also preserved, including his parents, sisters, brothers, wife, and daughters, as well as a set of washbasins that were used to wash his face and hands every morning at a time when most houses did not have running water. The bedroom also includes a chamber pot, used during the night, as bathrooms were usually located outside.
This space offers visitors an intimate glimpse into the routine, rest, and daily life of the First Chief of the Constitutionalist Revolution, combining functionality, personal habits, and the refined taste of the era.
Personal library
The office-library was where Venustiano Carranza spent most of his time attending to government affairs, studying, and reading. It houses his 833 personal books, many of them bearing his initials “V.
The office-library was where Venustiano Carranza spent most of his time attending to government affairs, studying, and reading. It houses his 833 personal books, many of them bearing his initials “V. C.” on the spine or dedicated by their authors, reflecting his interest in culture and history.
Personal and diplomatic objects are on display, such as swords and sabers that may have belonged to Carranza or his father. There are also portraits and lithographs of figures he admired, such as Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, Francisco I. Madero, George Washington, Benito Juárez, and Napoleon Bonaparte. Among the decorative elements, the paperweights and inkwells with Napoleonic emblems stand out, reflecting his admiration for Bonaparte.
In addition, the office contains a facsimile of a Saint Chamond cannonball, placed on top of the safe, and four panoplies: two holding weapons and two more opposite them, which include commemorative plaques from the closing of the 1917 Constituent Congress and the Carranza Doctrine, symbolizing the union of the president's political and military work.
Family bathroom
The historic bathroom retains its original features: sink, faucets, and decorative tiles. Here you can see the sanitary innovations of the early 20th century and appreciate what an old bathroom with a bathtub and shower looked like, with different options for daily hygiene.
The historic bathroom retains its original features: sink, faucets, and decorative tiles. Here you can see the sanitary innovations of the early 20th century and appreciate what an old bathroom with a bathtub and shower looked like, with different options for daily hygiene. This space allows you to appreciate the design and functionality of the sanitary facilities in the residences of Porfirian high society.
A bidet is also on display, which was a symbol of concern for intimate hygiene. The medicine cabinet contains personal hygiene items such as brushes, razors, and razor blades. Of particular note is a bottle of anti-catarrhal powder containing cocaine chloride, a compound used at the time as a stimulant to relieve the symptoms of colds and nasal congestion.
Family
The Carranza, el hombre historical room offers visitors an intimate glimpse into the personal and family life of the First Chief of the Constitutionalist Army and President of Mexico.
The Carranza, el hombre historical room offers visitors an intimate glimpse into the personal and family life of the First Chief of the Constitutionalist Army and President of Mexico. Unlike other spaces that focus on his role as a statesman and legislator, this room seeks to show the individual behind the historical figure, highlighting his daily life, his tastes, and his close circle.
Among the pieces housed here are Venustiano Carranza's personal belongings, such as his hat, slippers, cane, and glasses, symbols that refer to his public image and the sobriety that characterized him.
Family photographs and portraits are also on display, providing insight into the emotional environment that accompanied him throughout his political career. Visitors can also view part of his wardrobe, including formal suits, as well as documents and letters that reveal more intimate aspects of his life.
The layout of this room seeks to humanize the historical figure and bring the public closer to a Carranza who was not only the architect of the 1917 Constitution, but also a man of simple habits, with deep convictions and a strong attachment to his family.
In this way, this space complements the vision of the politician with that of the human being, allowing us to understand the integrity and complexity of the man who led one of the most decisive periods in national history.
Revolution
The Carranza, Revolutionary historical room is dedicated to showcasing the career of the First Chief of the Constitutionalist Army in the context of the Mexican Revolution.
The Carranza, Revolutionary historical room is dedicated to showcasing the career of the First Chief of the Constitutionalist Army in the context of the Mexican Revolution. In this space, visitors can appreciate Carranza's steadfastness as a political and military leader, as well as his role in defending constitutionalism in the face of the ruptures and conflicts that marked the revolutionary process.
Among the pieces on display here are his military uniform and the saber that accompanied him during the constitutionalist campaigns, objects that evoke his role as commander of troops and his capacity for political and strategic organization. Also on display are coins, banknotes, telegrams, and original documents that attest to the leadership of the revolutionary movement, as well as photographs of Carranza with the main constitutionalist generals that illustrate the alliances and tensions of the time.
Emphasis is placed on Carranza's evolution, from his time as governor of Coahuila to his role as leader of a national cause that culminated in the promulgation of the 1917 Constitution. Each piece on display allows us to understand that, behind the statesman, there was also a revolutionary convinced that legality should be the basis for rebuilding the country.
Workshop Area
The workshop space at the Casa de Carranza Museum is a place dedicated to creation, learning, and community participation.
The workshop space at the Casa de Carranza Museum is a place dedicated to creation, learning, and community participation. This space hosts educational, artistic, and recreational activities aimed at audiences of all ages, seeking to bring visitors closer to the history of the Mexican Revolution, the life of Venustiano Carranza, and other cultural expressions in a dynamic and creative way.
Through these workshops, the museum reinforces its educational mission and turns the visitor experience into an interactive process, where history and anthropology are linked to practice and imagination.
Manuel Stampa Gallery
Located in the basement of the museum, this space is dedicated to cultural dissemination and engagement with different audiences. Its architecture is designed to host small temporary exhibitions.
Located in the basement of the museum, this space is dedicated to cultural dissemination and engagement with different audiences. Its architecture is designed to host small temporary exhibitions. In this space, you can also see the area assigned to service personnel and the early 20th-century cellars, as well as the construction system of the house through the vaults.
Like the gallery, this space not only enhances the visitor experience, but also turns the museum into an active space, where history meets new perspectives and sensibilities, open to other themes of not only a historical nature, but also anthropological.
Constituent Assembly of 1917 Library
The Specialized Library is a space dedicated to preserving, studying, and disseminating written records of the Mexican Revolution, the life of Venustiano Carranza, and the Constituent Congress of 1916-1917.
The Specialized Library is a space dedicated to preserving, studying, and disseminating written records of the Mexican Revolution, the life of Venustiano Carranza, and the Constituent Congress of 1916-1917. Its name pays tribute to the deputies who, meeting in Querétaro, drafted the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States of 1917, which remains in force to this day.
This collection brings together books, documents, newspapers, brochures, and archival materials that allow the public and researchers to learn about the political and social processes of revolutionary Mexico. Its holdings include original editions and studies on the constituents, parliamentary debates, Carranza's legislative work, as well as collections that address national history from the late 19th century to the first half of the 20th century.
In addition to its function as a reference center, the Library is a space for living memory: academic activities, book presentations, and reading promotion programs are held here, strengthening the museum's role as a disseminator of the country's documentary heritage.
In this way, the 1917 Constituent Library not only preserves fundamental sources for understanding Mexico's political history, but also honors the men who, through their work in Querétaro, laid the legal foundations of the modern nation.
Hermila Galindo Auditorium
The Auditorium of the Casa de Carranza Museum, located on the ground floor of the residence, where the superintendent's house, the stables, and the garage were located, is a space dedicated to cultural and academic dissemination.
The Auditorium of the Casa de Carranza Museum, located on the ground floor of the residence, where the superintendent's house, the stables, and the garage were located, is a space dedicated to cultural and academic dissemination. This venue hosts conferences, book presentations, chamber concerts, and educational activities that reinforce the museum's role as a center for historical research and dissemination.
In addition to its function as a forum, the Auditorium houses an important part of the museum's historical collection. Among the pieces on display are the facsimile made on metal plates of the 1917 Constitution and the work El nacimiento de la patria (The Birth of the Fatherland) by Jorge González Camarena, among others.
In this way, the Auditorium not only serves as a space for contemporary encounter and dialogue, but also integrates itself into the museographic discourse as a venue that connects the present with the historical legacy of Carranza and the decisive years in which the modern nation was consolidated.
Julia Carranza Gallery
Located on the upper floor of the Auditorium, this space is dedicated to cultural dissemination and outreach to different audiences. Its architecture was designed to host temporary exhibitions related to the anthropological work of the INAH.
Located on the upper floor of the Auditorium, this space is dedicated to cultural dissemination and outreach to different audiences. Its architecture was designed to host temporary exhibitions related to the anthropological work of the INAH.
This space presents exhibitions that complement the museum's permanent collection, whether historical, artistic, or documentary in nature, as well as collaborative projects with other institutions that expand the museum's reach. The Gallery serves as a bridge between the legacy of Venustiano Carranza and contemporary expressions.
In this way, the Gallery not only enriches the visitor experience, but also transforms the museum into an active space, where history dialogues with new perspectives and topics of historical and anthropological interest are addressed.
Exterior gallery
The façade of the Casa de Carranza Museum is not only the elegant face of this Porfirian mansion: it is also a living space that is constantly changing.
The façade of the Casa de Carranza Museum is not only the elegant face of this Porfirian mansion: it is also a living space that is constantly changing. Its exterior walls become an open-air gallery, where the museum shares temporary exhibitions with passersby that engage with history, art, and contemporary culture.
Walking in front of the museum means encountering images, documents, and themes that invite you to stop, look, and reflect. In this way, the outdoor gallery brings heritage to new audiences, taking part of the collection and cultural offerings beyond the interior rooms.
Thus, the museum's façade ceases to be merely the entrance to a historic residence and becomes a window open to memory and creativity.
- DirecciónKarla Jaqueline Peniche Romerokarla_peniche@inah.gob.mx+52 (55) 55466494 Ext. 414100AdministraciónGladys Olivia Tenango Salgadogladys_salgado@inah.gob.mx+52 (55) 55466494 Ext. 414101InvestigaciónLeopoldo Trejo Barrientosleopoldo_trejo@inah.gob.mx+52 (55) 55466494 Ext. 414104MuseografíaLaura Patricia De León Gonzálezlaura_deleon@inah.gob.mx+52 (55) 55466494 Ext. 414102Comunicación EducativaPatricia Alfaro Hernándezpatricia_alfaro@inah.gob.mx+52 (55) 55466494 Ext. 414106BibliotecaRocio Araceli Sánchez Hernándezrocio_sanchez@inah.gob.mx+52 (55) 55466494 Ext. 414109SeguridadCristina López Llaveroscristina_lopez@inah.gob.mx+52 (55) 55466494 Ext. 414107






