FROM XX CENTURY UNTIL NOW
Museum Constitution and Development
Under the possibility of selling the property, where "La Quinta" was located, by Mrs. Matilde Moncada, its owner between 1918 and 1919 to some foreigners, the Colombian History Academy and the Embellishment Society (today known as the Improvements and Ornament Society of Bogotá) they began a campaign, with the object of acquiring the properties to install there a Museum inspired in Bolívar, that keep the majority of things that belonged to the Liberator and important elements from the independence age.
In order to get this object the Society begins a popular subscription where every regions of the country took part and also other institutions. The most important contribution, were from Antioquia, Atlantico, Cundinamarca, North Santander and Nariño. The committee that organized Boyaca’s battle centennial feast contributed in the same way to this cause.
It were used other ways to collect resources to repair La Quinta in favour of the Nation like news adverts inviting the community to collaborate by acquiring bonds and other activities like the "Thursdays Conference" whose amount was 0,50 cents per person. It is necessary to know that today this activity continues on last Thursdays of every month, but the difference is that the entrance is free
By the deed No. 528 of March 21st, 1919 where finally was sold, to the Doctor Alfonso Robledo, Embellishment Society President, the property. It was sold for $24.000 pesos divided in quotes: $4.000 cash down, $10.000 for six months without interests. The property was mortgaged and the seller committed to give it in September that year. Although the Dr. Robledo bought the house, it is important to emphasize that the Nation gave him back its cost a year later, being the Nation the proprietor.
The first meeting record, dated on November 28th, 1919, constituted the Bolívar’s House-Museum Assembly where took part Luis Cuervo Marquez, Government Minister, Eduardo Restrepo Sáenz, Governor of Cundinamarca, Santiago de Castro, Bogotá Mayor, and Raimundo Rivas, President of the Embellishment Society.
1920-1946 From its opening, la Quinta began to have social and diplomats events. The newspaper "El Gráfico" informs in a caption: "In the Tannery, in the old rooms of la Quinta that has been changed in to a school restaurant, lets that a hundred of children that live near the house, could receive education and feeding per 1 cent a day"”.
The law 53 of 1919 dated 1st of November authorized a sum of 20,000 pesos to complete the payment and the creation of a meeting denominated Junta de La Quinta y Museo de Bolívar, whose objective would be to organize and to watch the creation of the Museum of Bolívar. The purpose would be to compile and to protect the properties of the Liberator. This Meeting was composed by the Minister of Government, the Governor of Cundinamarca, the Mayor of the capital and the President of the Embellishment Society (today known as the Improvements and Ornament Society of Bogotá).
Among the first reforms and adjustments that where made with the purpose of adapting the house for its inauguration, is the opening of an access road to the house. The public Work Minister in his memories of 1919 says: "... for the celebration of 7th August it was made at the North and the West of the Villa, a way of 140 meters length by 7 wide in the narrowest part being completely firm and safe.
In 1920 the Villa still owed money and the sum that the Congress had authorized a year ago had been dispatched. Insistently they looked for ways to get the amount and pay to the Doctor Robledo the owed sum, just like to the old owner, Matilde Moncada and to the Central bank. In November of that year a celebration is organized with the purpose of getting money to la Quinta and the final gain of that celebration were 500 pesos.
In 1921 la Quinta passed to be legally the property of the Nation by means of deed No. 727 of the second Notary's office dated on 15th May, 1922. As a representation of the Nation the Minister of Property, Miguel Arroyo Diez, the Minister of Government, General Víctor M. Salazar and the President of Junta y Museo de Bolívar.
In August, 1924 with the purpose of celebrating the Bogotá’s day (August 5th) and the commemoration of the Junín Battle, there were hung, in the Villa, the oils of the master Rafael Tavera. These pictures represented the fields of Paya, Gámeza, the Marsh of Vargas and Boyacá.
With the construction of the Stroll Bolívar, it helped to build houses around of la Quinta and near of the way. These rooms were built with low quality materials and without any planning. The residents were families that had just arrived to the city without economic resources and low educative level.
Since 1930 the Administrator Assembly of La Quinta y Museo de Bolívar delegated the total administrative responsibility to the Embellishment Society, by means of the payment 140 pesos per month, then the Society is in charge of some works related to the condition of the house and its surroundings, making repairs some places that were in relation with its historical past, based on existing writings about the building and the information of people which knew the house time ago and the anecdotes transmitted by the community.
In spite of the efforts of the Society, it seems that the impression of the place continues being depressing ten years later. However the Villa is continuously visited by People of the Government, of the Culture, members of the diplomatic corps and by individuals.
The Bulletin of the Improvements and Ornament Society informs in 1943 that the workings made in the villa were located in the gardens, halls, vantage point and outer part. Moreover it mentions the positioning of a bust of Bolívar gave by Venezuela, which was located in the North inner garden of the house, and another one of white marble, that is located in the outer garden.
1946-1973 The Law 57 of 1946 that authorized the Organization of IX the International Pan-American Conference, ordered the restoration of la Quinta, selected like one of the venues of its events. The Ministry of Exteriors Relations in charge of the preparations of the event subscribes contracts of different kinds with individuals, in order to obtain a worthy adjustment of the Villa. All these contracts were carried out between 1947 and 1948 according with the publications of the “Diario Oficial”.
In the Records of the Improvement and Ornament Society of May 21st and 28th, 1947 are expressed the most urgent and necessary reforms that will execute in la Quinta, like this:
Two pillars or columns in front and in the west of the Villa and will be constructed, for placing 21 flag spears.
It is ordered to conserve the madreselvas that forms the galleries or pergolas that evolved next to the marble fountains.
In the fountains the cisterns covered by cement will be replaced by stone floor tiles.
The pond’s curbstone will be covered with stone.
In the garden will be planted bilberries, myrtles, cherry trees, alders, parasitics and bindweeds.
By means of January 23rd, 1950 decree Num 157 was increased the sum destined to the conservation and ornament of the Bolívar’s Villa and the Museo Bolívariano to $24,000 pesos per year, considering that the contributions to the Villa had not been increased from 1923.
With Decree 1517 of 1960 a special commission, integrated by the President of the Colombian History Academy, the President of the Assembly of celebrations of the Sesquicentenario of Independence, the Director of Cultural Extension and Fine Arts of the Education Ministry and the President of the Improvements and Ornament Society, was created. They made an evaluation about the Quinta’s administration and operation according to Guidelines of the National Museum and other specialized museums.
In the information record of the Improvements and Ornament Society are expressed as conclusions of this evaluation that the lack of monitoring and attention to immediate necessities of the building is evident. The construction surroundings continue being dangerous by the increase of vagrants and gamines in the neighborhoods.
The urgent situation studied by the commission raised several solution alternatives to improve the conditions of the Villa in 1964:
Direct administration of the Government.
Administration delegated to the Improvements and Ornament Society of Bogotá with delegates and employees paid by this society.
Administration delegated to the Improvements and Ornament Society of Bogotá with delegates and employees paid by the Government.
The selected alternative was the third. However and by means of contract signed by the Administrative department of General Services of the Public Works Ministry, in representation of the Government and the Improvements and Ornament Society of Bogotá, the administration of the building passed to depend on the Public Work Ministry from 1968, when this ministry was in charge of all National Monuments.
1974-1992 With 1584 decree of 1975 and paradoxically a month later the incursion of the rising guerrilla M-19 in the house, to extract the sword of Simón Bolívar, the Villa was declare “national monument", located in la Jiménez con segunda. The restoration of this place is in charge of the National Monument Council. With Law 31 of 1979 the 5° article ordered the construction of the Jardín Bolívariano (Garden of Bolivar).
The National Government asked to the Improvements and Ornament Society, in 1991, which was in charge to restore it. After eight years of joint work with the National Monument Direction - before dependent of National Routes Institute and now the Ministry of Culture -, the Villa has recovered its character of country house and the aspect that it had when the Liberator inhabited it.
Nevertheless, the workings have not concluded. There is in process the construction of a new building, in the Eastern part of the house, with the purpose to exhibit, in a suitable way, other pieces of the Museum collection, as well as an administrative seat, an auditorium, book coffee store, a gallery, and the necessary infrastructure for the modernization of the Museum and its suitable service to the public.
