Discover the town's past
The End of the World Museum has archaeological, natural and cultural collections to get to know the history of Tierra del Fuego. Don't miss a visit to its two venues located in the town's centre.
Two of the oldest buildings in town are located on Maipu St., in front of the bay. The first one was the former House of Government, built in wood and corrugated sheet metal between 1890 and 1893. The second building was erected in 1903 using prison labor and it was the venue of the National Bank until the 1970’s. The walls have a 60 centimeters thickness and they are made with local stone.
Today, inside these two historic places, the End of the World Museum displays its collections. Officially founded on May 18 1979, the rooms exhibit items such as shipwrecks remains, an imposing figurehead, objects belonging to pioneer families, embalmed birds, insects and sea creatures.
Another interesting exhibition is the photographic archive containing images of Ushuaia from early 20th century, and in particular, a collection taken by José Ortuño, a Sergeant who worked at the town’s infamous old prison. Through these images we are able to get a glimpse of the daily life in Ushuaia during the 1940’s, with its wooden houses, dirt roads and the faces of those who once lived here under very harsh conditions.
In both venues of the Museum there are guided tours twice a day, from Monday to Friday. The library located at Maipú 173 has a collection of around 5.000 titles, which include history, literature, archaeology, anthropology, and botanics. These books are available to students, teachers, researchers and general public.
If you come to Ushuaia this autumn a visit to these museums is a must. On a rainy day or after an excursion in the outskirts of the city, there is nothing better than to get inside these old buildings and discover the past of the mythical end of the world.
Discover the town's past
The End of the World Museum has archaeological, natural and cultural collections to get to know the history of Tierra del Fuego. Don't miss a visit to its two venues located in the town's centre.
Two of the oldest buildings in town are located on Maipu St., in front of the bay. The first one was the former House of Government, built in wood and corrugated sheet metal between 1890 and 1893. The second building was erected in 1903 using prison labor and it was the venue of the National Bank until the 1970’s. The walls have a 60 centimeters thickness and they are made with local stone.
Today, inside these two historic places, the End of the World Museum displays its collections. Officially founded on May 18 1979, the rooms exhibit items such as shipwrecks remains, an imposing figurehead, objects belonging to pioneer families, embalmed birds, insects and sea creatures.
Another interesting exhibition is the photographic archive containing images of Ushuaia from early 20th century, and in particular, a collection taken by José Ortuño, a Sergeant who worked at the town’s infamous old prison. Through these images we are able to get a glimpse of the daily life in Ushuaia during the 1940’s, with its wooden houses, dirt roads and the faces of those who once lived here under very harsh conditions.
In both venues of the Museum there are guided tours twice a day, from Monday to Friday. The library located at Maipú 173 has a collection of around 5.000 titles, which include history, literature, archaeology, anthropology, and botanics. These books are available to students, teachers, researchers and general public.
If you come to Ushuaia this autumn a visit to these museums is a must. On a rainy day or after an excursion in the outskirts of the city, there is nothing better than to get inside these old buildings and discover the past of the mythical end of the world.
