The History of Mercedes in a Museum

Not Gone with the Wind

In 1967, the then mayor of Mercedes got engaged in conversation with Miss Sofía Amelia Miguez Souza. This resulted in the donation of the family residence and the adjoining land plots to the municipality so that the City Museum would be established there. The venue would be named after her father and it would include an educational center.

Miss Miguez passed away in August 1972 and, according to the provisions set forth by the signed agreement, the municipality had to come into possession and set off both the museum and the educational institution. Mr. Alfredo Bani, the then mayor of Mercedes, was in charge of receiving the donation and to clean and condition the assets received.

Mr. Julio César Gioscio assumed his position in the municipal administration on May 25, 1973 and during the short time he had left to comply with the provisions of the donation, which expired on August 1973, he devoted himself to their fulfillment.

All for History

Messrs. Ballesteros, Roberto Tamagno, Tulio Ortiz, Dr. Albor Úngaro, Rául Ortelli, Ana Sampol de Herrero, José de Caro, Orestes Reyna, Ida Z. De Milesi and Luis Villarreal took part in these proceedings.

The following companies provided economic support: Berterreix, Ferrari, Cartasegna, Demaio, Loré, Soricelli, Martino, Hernández, Landi Hnos., Pitoni, Sorof and Navarro. Municipal manpower provided by the “General Viamonte” 6th Infantry Regiment and the 5th Criminal Unit was used in this undertaking.

Thus, come hell or high water, on August 17, 1973, two days before the expiration of the agreed term, Mr. Julio César Gioscio inaugurated the Municipal Historical Museum with the attendance of a great deal of neighbors.


What It Used to Be

Today, the Dr. Víctor Eduardo Miguez Municipal Historical Museum and its valuable documents and objects give testimony of the past of Mercedes. It is visited by tourists and student groups. The rooms dedicated to Mr. Miguez, to religious images, to the celebrities of Mercedes and Sofía Miguez room and bedroom stand out. Its central room houses a scale model of a fort which is a replica of Fort San José, raised by the Blandenguez family.

This grand house had the first tennis court in the city: a giant magnolia and other species that were trapped behind the bars that surround its fountain resting on solid walls, with an access gate forged with iron ornaments.

Furthermore, the Municipal Historical Archive, which includes a well-nourished number of official and private information, a newspaper and slides library and is visited by students, historians and people in general every day, has operated here since June 1984.

Upon entering the building, there is an information desk and a library, the starting point to visit the various rooms. The museum staff also performs a great task in carrying us on a journey back in time.

Very steadily and always making an effort to make ends meet, those who care for the museum today do an outstanding job. It may be asserted that Miss Sofía, the last owner of the house, would feel more than proud to see her home today.

*Part of the information was provided by the official site of the Municipality of the City of Mercedes.