The Archeological, Historic and Geographic Institute of Pernambuco (, IAHGP) is an organization dedicated to promoting research and preserving the historical, geographic, cultural, and social sciences of the Brazilian state of

Pernambuco Pernambuco ( , , ) is a States of Brazil, state of Brazil located in the Northeast Region, Brazil, Northeast region of the country. With an estimated population of 9.5 million people as of 2024, it is the List of Brazilian states by population, ...

. Located in the city of

Recife Recife ( , ) is the Federative units of Brazil, state capital of Pernambuco, Brazil, on the northeastern Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic coast of South America. It is the largest urban area within both the North Region, Brazil, North and the Northeast R ...

, it was inaugurated on January 28, 1862. It is the oldest regional historical institute in Brazil and the second institution in the country dedicated to history, following the

Brazilian Historic and Geographic Institute The Brazilian Historic and Geographic Institute (, IHGB), founded on 21 October 1838, is the oldest and traditional authority to promote research and preservation of historical and geographical, cultural and social sciences in Brazil. Its creation ...

. The organization safeguards memories of Pernambuco's past, including significant events such as the early wars in the state, like the Battle of Guararapes. It also preserves the broader historical heritage of Pernambuco. Among its collection is a copy of ''Preciso'', the sole document printed by the rebels of the Pernambucan revolt. This document outlines the actions planned by the newly constituted government, along with the press used to produce it.

History

The IAHGP traces its origins to criticisms of

Emperor Pedro II '' Dom'' PedroII (Pedro de Alcântara João Carlos Leopoldo Salvador Bibiano Francisco Xavier de Paula Leocádio Miguel Gabriel Rafael Gonzaga; 2 December 1825 – 5 December 1891), nicknamed the Magnanimous (), was the second and last monar ...

during his visit to Recife in 1859. The emperor noted the neglect and indifference of Pernambuco's intellectuals toward the state's historical past. The institute was founded in 1862 by a group of progressive intellectuals, led by , becoming Brazil's first regional historical institute. Its first elected president was Monsignor Francisco Muniz Tavares. Initially, the institute operated out of the Carmo Convent. In 1920, the institute moved permanently to its current location at 130, Hospício Street. The current headquarters, a two-story building with a wide entrance door, six windows on the ground floor, and seven windows with a belvedere on the upper floor, was donated by Governor . The building underwent significant renovations to accommodate the institute's needs. Foto Istituto Arq

The collection of the Pernambuco Archaeological, Historical, and Geographical Institute (IAHGP) includes documents and artifacts connected to the history and memory of Pernambuco. Its library contains approximately 25,000 volumes, including books, maps, and rare items, such as a copy of the Vingboons Atlas. The collection also features a stone column bearing the coat of arms that once marked the boundary between the captaincies of Pernambuco and Itamaracá, busts of Frei Caneca, oil portraits and paintings of historical figures like Maurício de Nassau, and objects such as the cup held by politician João Pessoa at the time of his assassination in Recife. Over the years, the IAHGP has contributed to Recife's public spaces through initiatives such as installing bronze plaques that highlight the significance of monuments and locations. Members of the institute, including journalist and historian Mário Melo, have also been prominent contributors to Pernambuco’s press. In 2015, the IAHGP launched a project to install informational panels in the neighborhoods of Graças, Espinheiro, Boa Vista, and Santo Antônio. These tiled panels highlight eight historic streets in Recife, providing not only their names but also brief descriptions of their origins and meanings. The project is supported culturally and funded by sponsorships from companies and individuals. The IAHGP holds its annual ''magna session'' on January 28th to commemorate the Restoration of Pernambuco. The institute’s entire collection is listed by the

National Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage The National Historic and Artistic Heritage Institute (, IPHAN) is a heritage register of the federal government of Brazil. It is responsible for the preservation of buildings, monuments, structures, objects and sites, as well as the register an ...

(IPHAN).

Institute Magazine

Since 1863, the Institute has published its journal, titled ''Revista do Instituto Arqueológico, Histórico e Geográfico de Pernambuco''. The publication schedule was irregular until 1920. For a brief period, between 1920 and 1936, the journal was published biannually, with issues released in January and December.

Celebrating 150 years

The 150th anniversary of the founding of the IAHGP was marked by a Magna session at the Santa Isabel Theater, a solemn mass at the Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, and a concert by the Pernambuco Conservatory of Music Orchestra at the Madre de Deus Cathedral. A solemn tribute to the IAHGP was held at the Joaquim Nabuco House, a venue used by the Legislative Assembly of Pernambuco (Alepe).

Commemoration of the Bicentenary of the Pernambuco Revolt of 1817

In 2017, the Archaeological, Historical, and Geographical Institute of Pernambuco (IAHGP), in partnership with the Pernambuco Academy of Letters (APL), held a formal session to commemorate the Bicentenary of the Pernambuco Revolution of 1817. The event, which featured free admission, included lectures delivered by academic Vamirech Chacon. Additionally, in the same year, the IAHGP collaborated with the Museum of the City of Recife, located at the Forte das Cinco Pontas, a well-known tourist attraction in Pernambuco, to host an exhibition honoring the Pernambuco Revolution of 1817. Running from March 12 until the end of the year, the exhibition was organized into five thematic sections, or “axes,” aiming to depict life in Pernambuco during 1817 and to highlight the ideas that inspired the revolution.

Works and parts

The museum houses several works and artifacts of historical significance to Pernambuco, including: * A tombstone featuring the Portuguese coat of arms and crown, which marked the boundary between the captaincies of Pernambuco and Itamaracá. * Busts of notable figures such as

Frei Caneca Friar, Frei Joaquim do Amor Divino Rabelo (20 August 1779 – 13 January 1825), born Joaquim da Silva Rabelo, commonly known as Frei Caneca (English: Friar Mug), was a Brazilian religious leader, politician, and journalist. He was involved in mu ...

, Oliveira Lima, , and {{ill, Mário Melo, pt. * The coat of arms of

Duarte Coelho Duarte Coelho Pereira ( – ) was a nobleman, military leader, and colonial administrator in the Portuguese colony of Brazil. He was the first Donatario (Lord Proprietor) of the captaincy of Pernambuco and founder of Olinda. Early life The bir ...

. * The first printing press used by the ''

Diário de Pernambuco ''Diário de Pernambuco'' (''Pernambuco Daily'') is a newspaper published in Recife, Brazil. The newspaper began publication on 7 November 1825. It is the oldest continuously circulating daily in Latin America and the oldest continuously circ ...

''. * A Dutch bronze cannon. * Portraits of prominent individuals, including Maurício de Nassau, Dom Pedro II, Bishop Azeredo Coutinho, Dom Vital, João Alfredo, and Count of Boa Vista. * Panels depicting the First and Second Battles of Guararapes. * A

numismatic Numismatics is the study or collection of currency, including coins, tokens, paper money, medals, and related objects. Specialists, known as numismatists, are often characterized as students or collectors of coins, but the discipline also inclu ...

collection. * Prints of

Recife Antigo Recife Antigo (Old Recife) is the historical section of central Recife, Brazil. It is located on the Island of Recife, near the Recife harbor. This historic area has been recently recovered and now holds several clubs, bars and a high-tech cente ...

. * 19th-century Pernambuco furniture. * Rare manuscripts related to Pernambuco's history. * Pillars from the Santo Antônio Arch, which was demolished.

References

External links

Official site
(in Portuguese)

Research institutes in Brazil History of Recife History of Pernambuco Museums established in 1862 Museums in Recife