The Asilo de Ancianos de Mayagüez, also known as Asilo De Pobres or Asilo Municipal, is the name of a historic

Classical Revival Neoclassical architecture is an architectural style produced by the Neoclassical movement that began in the mid-18th century in Italy and France. It became one of the most prominent architectural styles in the Western world. The prevailing style ...

style building located in downtown Mayagüez, originally as a shelter for the homeless, poor and disabled of the city.

History

The idea for the asylum for the poor began with a campaign to build it by Salvador Suau y Mulet when he was Mayor of Mayagüez. This building is highly representative of the 19th century institutional architecture of Puerto Rico. The building was designed and built by commissioned state architects

Manuel V. Domenech Manuel V. Domenech Ferrer (23 March 1869 – 15 March 1942) was a Puerto Rican politician and engineer. He was mayor of Ponce in 1904, and designer of Casa Armstrong-Poventud, Rosaly-Batiz House, and the 1898 Casas Gemelas (Twin Houses) built ...

and Luis Perocier in 1895. The building as it stands today however was not fully completed until 1920 due to complications caused by the 1918 earthquake, after which it was restored and expanded. The institution was operated by the Sisters of Charity during its first years. For some time, Salvador Agrón, the inspiration for the Broadway musical

The Capeman ''The Capeman'' is a musical play with music by Paul Simon and book and lyrics by Simon and Derek Walcott based on the life of convicted murderer Salvador Agrón. The play opened at the Marquis Theatre in 1998 to poor reviews and ran for 68 perf ...

, lived in the building with his mother. In 1962 it became asylum for the elderly. The number of elderly patients increased and, in 1967, occupational therapy and arts programs were added by the

Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul The Company of the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul ( la, Societas Filiarum Caritatis a Sancto Vincentio de Paulo), commonly called the Daughters of Charity or Sisters of Charity of Saint Vincent De Paul, is a Society of Apostoli ...

, they also run the laundry, cafeteria, pharmacy and others. The building lost some of its original elements after restorations carried between 1972 and 1979, but it was listed on the

National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artistic v ...

in 1985 for its architectural value. and In 2016 the elderly residents were relocated to a larger and newer facility located near the Eugenio María de Hostos Airport.

References

External links

* Buildings and structures completed in 1920 National Register of Historic Places in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico Neoclassical architecture in Puerto Rico 1920 establishments in Puerto Rico Residential buildings on the National Register of Historic Places in Puerto Rico Public housing in Puerto Rico {{PuertoRico-struct-stub