1818
On June 6th, D. João VI found in Rio de Janeiro the Museu Real, “querendo propagar os conhecimentos e estudos das sciencias naturaes do Reino do Brazil, que encerra em si milhares de objectos dignos de observação e exame […]” [wanting to spread knowledge and natural science studies throughout Brazil’s reign, which holds thousands of objects worthy of observation and examination] The original resolution was lost in the Museu Nacional/UFRJ’s fire. The original resolution was lost in the Museu Nacional/UFRJ’s fire.
1859-1861
The Exploration Scientific Commission was established, the first expedition formed with only Brazilian scientists. As a result, it expanded Brazil’s Natural History collections.
1875-1878
The Museu Nacional is transferred from the Campo de Santana (the current building of the Centro Cultural Casa da Moeda) to the Palace São Cristóvão, at Quinta da Boa Vista. Permanent exhibitions are open to the public.
1882
The Brazilian Anthropological Exhibition at the Museu Nacional innovates in the way objects are exhibited and it is considered of the most important Brazilian scientific events of the nineteen century.
1889
After the Proclamation of the Republic, the Emperor’s family leave the Palace São Cristóvão. Many scientific objects that were left by the family were donated to the Museu Nacional.
1889-1891
The Palace São Cristóvão hosts the National Constituent Assembly, which composed the first republican constitution.
1892
The Museu Nacional is transferred from the Campo de Santana (the current building of the Centro Cultural Casa da Moeda) to the Palace São Cristóvão, at Quinta da Boa Vista. Permanent exhibitions are open to the public.
1907-1915
Researchers from Museu Nacional/UFRJ attend the Rondon Commission to catalog the fauna and flora and collect materials throughout the way between Mato Grosso and Amazonas.
1916
A scientific commission goes to Ilha Trindade (ES), collects materials, takes photographs, and classifies unknown specimens, mainly birds and fish.
1925
On May 7th, the German physicist Albert Einstein visits the Museum and is welcomed by the director Roquette-Pinto and the scientists’.
1926
On August 2nd, Marie Sklodowska Curie — the Madame Curie — visits the Museum. The Polish naturalized French was the first and only woman to receive two Nobel Prizes in two distinct areas: Physics and Chemistry.
1927
The anthropologist Edgard Roquette-Pinto creates the Museu Nacional/UFRJ’s Assistance Education Section, the first Brazilian museum education sector.
1928
Santos Dumont — the father of aviation— visits once more the Museu Nacional/UFRJ to test his inventions at the Princesses Garden.
1937
The Sociedade Amigos do Museu Nacional is founded, the first of its genre in Brazil, to support the Museum’s education, research, and extension activities.
1938
The Palace São Cristóvão and the Quinta da Boa Vista are considered a historical heritage by the Instituto do Patrimônio Histórico e Artístico Nacional.
1946
The Museu Nacional is now part of the Universidade do Brasil, current Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ).
1989
The Museum Central Library is transferred to a building at the Botanical Garden and now can receive more than 500 thousand volumes and rare books.
1994
The Vertebrate Department is founded to house zoological collections, labs, offices, and classrooms.
2007
The Botanical Department Building is inaugurated, with a Herbarium.
2003
The temporary exhibition Em busca dos dinossauros breaks the record of more than 100 thousand visitors in 6 months.
2009
After restoring the roofs and indoor spaces, the main façade has now the yellow color from the imperial period.
See how it turned out
2018
On June 6th, the community celebrates the Museum’s 200th anniversary.
2018
On September 2nd, an enormous fire hits the institutions. After the tragedy, it has begun a mobilization to reconstruct the Museum.
