Discover the History of Felipe Carrillo Puerto in New Museum

The National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), in partnership with the National Defense (Sedena), is planning to establish the Historical Museum of the City of Felipe Carrillo Puerto in Quintana Roo. This project is part of the cultural initiatives associated with the construction of the Maya Train.

The museum aims to celebrate the history of a location revered by the Mayan rebels, who named it Noh Cah Santa Cruz Balam Nah, which translates to "Great town of the Holy Cross, home of the jaguar". The building that once served as the indigenous boarding school "Gral. Lázaro Cárdenas" is currently being refurbished by Sedena personnel to accommodate the museum.

The city, founded on October 15, 1850, has a rich history of 174 years, marked by significant events such as the War of the Castes that began three years prior to its establishment. A team of professionals from the National Coordination of Museums and Exhibitions of the INAH and the INAH Quintana Roo Center are working closely with community members to fine-tune the museum's design and exhibits.

The new museum will offer a deep dive into the city's past and present through six thematic sections. The idea for the museum was proposed by the President of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, as a way of acknowledging the historical significance of Noh Cah Santa Cruz Balam Nah. Notably, the political events that took place there paved the way for the establishment of Quintana Roo as a federal entity on October 8, 1974.

The museum aims to do more than just chronicle 19th-century events. It also seeks to reflect the modern-day lives of the Mayans, ensuring their stories and voices are represented, says Margarito Molina Rendón, the director of the INAH Quintana Roo Center.