Abstract

RODRIGUES-CARVALHO, Claudia; CARVALHO, Marcelo Araújo de  and  MARTINS, Wagner. From Museu Real to Museu Nacional/UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: past and present fragments. Rev. Mus. Argent. Cienc. Nat. [online]. 2012, vol.14, n.2, pp.223-228. ISSN 1853-0400.

: Created on June 6, 1818 by D. Joao VI, King of Portugal, Brazil and Algarves, the Museu Real/ Royal Museum (later renamed Museu Nacional/National Museum) designed as the centralizer of studies and research relating to natural sciences in Brazil. In this founding decree, the strategic relevance of the new institution was highlight. There was an underlying understanding that the produced knowledge and deposited collections will contribute to the economic and cultural development of the kingdom. Throughout its history, the institution expanded, established partnerships, international cooperation and undergone several transformations: from its name, its headquarters and its position in the government structure. Currently integrated to the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro/Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) and with over 300 professionals in its permanent staff (plus contracted employees and students), the Museu Nacional, continues the tradition of cutting edge in research devoted to Natural History and Anthropology, and maintain an invaluable collection, ever expanding.

Keywords : National Museums; Royal Museums; Brazil; History of Science.