For the second time in less than four years, the Government of President Luis Abinader “reinaugurated” the National Museum of History and Geography.
When delivering the central words of the event, the Minister of Culture, Roberto Ángel Salcedo stated that “although he does not specify” the exact time, the place had “more than a decade” closed
“Mr. President asked, how long had this been closed, in fact I did not have the precision of the answer, I did know that it had been a reasonable amount of time and that the museum could not stand any longer with its doors closed; the Museum of History and Geography lasted more than a decade without having direct contact with Dominican society,” Salcedo exclaimed.
In the same way, the director of the museum, José Guerrero Sánchez, expressed himself, applauding the president’s work for reopening the doors of a structure that “had been closed for more than 12 years.”
“Today, Tuesday, April 28, 2026, is a memorable day for the Dominican Republic because the Museum reopens its doors. Due to damage to the infrastructure, the institution closed for more than 12 years Therefore, the administration of President Abinader reopens it by renovating its physical part, which includes air conditioning, waterproofing of ceilings and walls, 13 new rooms, etc.,” said Guerrero.
The statements of Salcedo and Guerrero ignore the event held in December 2022, led on that occasion by Vice President Raquel Peña and her predecessor in office, the former Minister of Culture, Milagros Germán.
On that occasion, it was reported that it was closed to the public for 17 years due to “remodeling processes” until that date and that it would operate regularly from that moment on.
Remodeled or new areas
In that December 2022, it was indicated that the “new installed areas” were rooms of the Homeland and the Presidents, the Era of Trujillo, the Caamaño guerrilla and the collection of museum pieces, as well as the El Jardín de Hostos space.
During this Tuesday’s activity, headed by President Abinader, it was indicated that those same areas (La Patria, Los Presidentes, Trujillo: an era of terror, La Guerrilla de Caamaño, the collection of museum pieces and El Jardín de Hostos) as “new rooms. The only variation with that of 2022 was the announcement of the incorporation of a room dedicated to the April War.
Without giving investment details
As in December 2022, on this occasion they did not disclose the amount of investment in the work carried out for the “reinauguration” of the Museum.
Doors “open” but closed
Although it was indicated that it was “opening its doors”, the Museum remained operational.
In November 2023, the José Francisco Peña Gómez Foundation held an exhibition of its belongings and launched the book “Political history of the nation from the perspective of Dr. José Francisco Peña Gómez” to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the death of the political and social leader. President Abinader was also present at that activity.
As recently as last week, the museum was holding a series commemorating the April revolution.
