Regional Museum of Anthropology of Yucatan, Palacio Cantón

Importance

The Palacio Cantón was built in the first decade of the 20th century as the family residence of General Francisco Cantón Rosado. General Cantón (1833-1917) was one of the most prominent figures of his time. As a soldier, he fought in the Caste War against the rebellious Mayans. He was the owner of cattle ranches and a railroad businessman, and was Governor of Yucatan between 1898 - 1902. In 1932, the Cantón family sold the building to the Yucatan government. From then on it was, successively, the headquarters of the School of Fine Arts, the Hidalgo Elementary School and the house of the governors. Later it housed, simultaneously, the Yucatecan Institute of Anthropology and History and the Crescencio Carrillo y Ancona Library, located on the main floor, as well as the Archaeological and Historical Museum of Yucatán, in the basement.

In the sixties, the first generation of archaeologists and anthropologists from the School of Anthropological Sciences studied on the top floor. The Regional Museum of Anthropology of Yucatán, Palacio Cantón was inaugurated in December 1959. Since 1980, its permanent exhibition on pre-Hispanic Mayan society has been presented on the main floor. On the top floor, temporary exhibitions, educational workshops and cultural events are offered.

Property Description

The museum occupies a building from the beginning of the 20th century. The architecture of the mansion is of the eclectic style known as Beaux Arts, which prevailed in Europe during the Belle Epoque and in Mexico during the Porfiriato. It is believed that the original plans were drawn up by the Italian architect Enrico Deserti and that the Yucatecan engineer and architect Manuel G. Cantón was in charge of the construction. General Francisco Cantón, governor of Yucatán, inhabited it until his death. The majesty of the building not only stands out for its dimensions, but also for the materials used in its construction: plaster pastillage, marble in various shades, fine finishes on the ceilings, Doric and Ionic columns, a beautiful staircase carved in white marble and gardens. exteriors.

Theme

In 1980 it became the headquarters of the Regional Museum of Anthropology, better known as Palacio Cantón. From that date until 2012, his exhibition focused on archaeological material made up of pieces from the pre-Hispanic Mayan culture. As of 2012, its contents have changed, being used to present important temporary exhibitions on various topics. Today, 56 years after its opening, the Palacio Cantón Regional Museum of Anthropology is an example of harmony between past and present, being a dynamic space that offers exhibitions, conferences, cultural and academic events to promote knowledge about the culture of the pre-Hispanic and contemporary peoples.

The Canton Palace is undoubtedly an emblem of the city of Mérida, capital of Yucatán, it is a link that connects the past with the present to project it into the future.

Services

The museum provides the following services:

• Guided visits in Spanish to school and special groups with a previous schedule.
• Conferences and book presentations.
• Concerts in the "Chapel" room.
• Free Sunday workshops for children from 6 to 12 years old.
• Programs for students for social service, professional practices and volunteering.
• Toilets and elevator for the disabled.
• It has an independent bookstore "Educal" that works during the same hours as the museum.

Schedule

Tuesday to Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Access charge: $90 pesos MX (credit and debit card payment accepted). Exempt from payments every day: Children under 12 years of age, students, retirees and pensioners with valid ID. On Sundays the entrance is free to all Mexicans.