the national museum



Origin of the National Museum
This is a non-profit public institution, assigned to the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports
On May 4, 1887, with Mr. Bernardo Soto as President of our Republic, the National Museum was created with the intention to provide the country with a public establishment to deposit, classify, and study natural and artistic products.
Since the very first years,the Museum focused on scientific investigation, education, exhibition, and defense of the cultural and natural heritage. Figures such as Anastasio Alfaro, Enrique Pittier, Pablo Biolley, Jose Castulo Zeledon, Adolfo Tonduz, Maria Fernandez de Tinoco, and Jose Fidel Tristan were crucial in the beginnings of the institution.
With over one hundred years of existence, it has dwelled in four differentbuildings. The first three of them are already demolished.
From 1887 to 1896 it was settled in the building of the Universidad de Santo Tomas.
From 1896 to 1903 it took the gardens of the Labrynth to the south of San Jose.
From 1903 to 1949 it used the former building of the Liceo de Costa Rica, currently housing the Caja Costarricense Del Seguro Social (national social securityinstitution).
Since 1950 until today, the National Museum 's home are the facilities of the former Bellavista Headquarters

Vision, Mission and Objectives

Vision
To become a leading museum in the national environment which investigates about and protects the cultural and natural heritage whereas spreads the knowledge acquired to all the society, so that it can be enjoyed, used, and preserved.Mission
To carry out several institutional actions wherewith to make the knowledge acquired on Costa Rican cultural and natural heritage available to society with the intention to strengthen the diversity of our cultural identity.
Institutional policies
Institutional priorities at the National Museum of Costa Rica are outlined in the following policies:
Upgrading its structures and processesso that institutional objectives are complied with efficiently and sufficiently and in a timely and qualified manner.
Addressing the social expansion activities the National Museum of Costa Rica carries out to the increase of knowledge, the use and protection of the cultural and natural heritage and to spread the outcomes of the institutional doings in an attractive and innovative way.Strengthening the communication and relationships between personnel, chiefs, Direction, and Board of Directors in order to promote the basic values and principles that rule the institution, such as justice, equity, team work, honesty, and respect.
Founding the development of its programs and projects on the institution's vision and mission, attaining a rational advantage of the budget assigned by theState and supporting it by means of strategic alliances with private companies and related institutions.
Unifying and merging the processes to protect heritage, investigation and collection handling so that they can be addressed towards education for the benefit, use and enjoyment of the whole society.
General Objectives
Consolidating the National Museum of Costa Rica as the core of museumprojection aiming to spread to the national and foreign public our Costa Rican cultural and natural heritage and educating them on how to protect it.
Looking after the responsibilities the National Museum of Costa Rica has in investigation of the cultural and natural heritage as a whole and in regards to its protection, conservation, and rescue in order to safeguard the historic memory of theNation and assure its enjoyment by current and future generations.
Encouraging the development of the staff working for the National Museum of Costa Rica as well as its technological advance as a double backup to the different institutional processes with a focused orientation towards timely and quality service.
Administration


Board of Directors
It is formed by seven members. They are in...