The Pampas Museum of Chascomús

If there is a place in the City of Chascomús where visitors will find real vestiges of the past and present colonial life of the criollos (Argentinians of Spanish descent) in Argentina, this is undoubtedly the Pampas Museum. Faithful custodian of the history of Chascomús, this building is a perfect replica of the Casa de Postas “Mensajerías Argentinas” (”Coaching Inn”), which used to be the dwelling of the General Martín de Pueyrredón. A few meters away from this beautiful estancia, it is possible to explore one of the most respected treasures by residents of Chascomús. This site is Los Libres del Sur Park, which was founded in 1939 to celebrate 100 years of the Chascomús Battle, a crucial local event within Argentinian history.

History tells that the landowners who called themselves “Los Libres del Sur” rose up against the Rosas administration and were defeated on the lagoon shores. A few meters from the park bearing the same name in their honor, we could find some plaques which remind this historical event. Coming back to the museum, it can be said that the purpose of its creation was the representation of a fort on the pampas. And later on, it was decided to add exhibitions on the life and customs of Argentinian gauchos and highlight that heroic deed achieved in Chascomús which gave a preeminent position to “the heroes of the city”. Located at the intersection of Lastra and Muñiz Avenues, the clock told us the time to start our guided tour and go through the main entrance gate towards the white estancia. A house with tiles set in clay, quebracho wood beams and ceilings made of canes tied together with colt rawhide thongs. Touring around its seven rooms, we could find prehistoric animals, for instance, a glyptodont, as well as traces from the primitive men, the culture of the first Argentinian native dwellers, the foundation of the fort named after John the Baptist, the times of federalism and the City of Chascomús where traditional society lived under the influence of Basque, French and English immigration. In its first room, archeological and paleontological pieces depicting the primitive ages are on display. Objects made from stone, bone and pottery give evidence of human settlements 1,700 years ago. Artifacts belonging to the Indian dwellers that dwelled in the area, found in the lagoons can also be appreciated. The second and third room show an exhibition on gaucho art representing pampa life. Silverware elements, boleadoras, spurs, knives and saddles are the main items. Here the protagonist is the Argentinian gaucho and his environment. The fourth room focuses on Chascomús Battle and shows the red ribbon emblem used by Rosas supporters and the Libres del Sur portraits and their descriptions. The fifth room displays local souvenirs: a collection of antique objects owned by ancient families from 1873 to 1940, a period when the City of Chascomús defined its urban and institutional features. Steps ahead, we found a room devoted to the museum founder, this room was named “Mercedes J. Aldaur”, a well-known teacher and poet of the city who now would be proud of her museum. This place offers temporary exhibitions and conferences free of charge and admission. This is a historical venue part of the present of residents and visitors.