National Museum Explores History of San José Barrios

A new exhibit at San José’s NationalMuseum seeks to take viewers back to the first half of the 20th century in a historical study of the capital.

“Barrios de San José” is the latest exhibit of the Culture Ministry’s Proyecto Barrios initiative, which seeks to explore and celebrate the history of the capital’s most emblematic neighborhoods (TT, Sept. 18).

The exhibit includes reproductions of artwork, epigraphs, old photos and informational text exploring the Luján, Otoya, México and NationalMuseum barrios. Three more neighborhoods, Pitahaya, Escalante and La Cruz, are expected to be added in March.

Proyecto Barrios Coordinator Virginia Vargas said the project uncovered a sense of “nostalgia for community life and solidarity among neighbors.” She added that the participation of neighborhood schoolchildren has been particularly enriching, with their drawings of historic buildings making up an important part of the project.

The NationalMuseum is open Tuesday to Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The cost of admission is ¢200 ($0.35); free for children under 12 and students with ID.

–Tico Times