Port of Santos Museum gets a new look and preserves historical items

The Lavoura Locomotive adorns the entrance of the 19th-century victorian big house (Vanessa Rodrigues/ AT)

The complete restoration of the original Pinho de Riga flooring and the reorganization of exhibitions are among the main updates at the Port of Santos Museum, which reopened at the beginning of this month after a renovation period. Additionally, the space now features an educational animated film that presents the port's history in an engaging way, especially for children.

According to Caio Teissiere, advisor to the Cultural Complex of the Port of Santos, the renovation aimed to improve circulation and provide more spaciousness to the museum. “We revitalized the entire wooden flooring, a historic and imported material. In addition, we painted the walls and reorganized the exhibition rooms”, he explains.

A meticulous painting process was carried out. Professionals delicately scraped layers of paint from the walls using stylets to uncover the building’s original color. The goal was to restore the space as closely as possible to its original period of construction.

The museum’s curators also selected some pieces to be transferred to the technical reserve, where they will undergo restoration processes. “From time to time, we choose part of the collection for preservation efforts. This is essential for maintaining our heritage”, says Teissiere.

Among the renovated exhibition rooms, highlights include areas dedicated to the Port Worker Health Collection, Information Technology, and Maritime and Nautical History.

For 2025, the Cultural Complex of the Port of Santos plans to enhance the museum’s interactivity. One of the proposed projects is the implementation of a 3D interactive panel, allowing visitors to experience an immersive journey through the port’s environments.

Big house Housed in a 19th-century victorian mansion, the Port of Santos Museum was inaugurated in 1989. The building, considered sophisticated for its time, was constructed using imported materials such as French tiles, European woods, and English wrought iron.

Beyond its historical collection, the museum's architecture also stands out. “The house was one of the first to meet the sanitary requirements of the time, such as the mandatory inclusion of basements to manage flooding”, highlights Teissiere.

The museum houses over 2,000 historical items, including documents, artifacts, and equipment used in the construction of the port’s quay. Notable exhibits include Brazil’s second-ever computer, antique telephones, typewriters, and ship lanterns.

The original flooring was restored, and exhibition rooms were renovated. The port's history is presented in an educational and interactive way (Vanessa Rodrigues/ AT)

Visitation The Port of Santos Museum is located at Conselheiro Rodrigues Alves Avenue, s/nº, at the corner of Conselheiro João Alfredo Road, in Macuco. It is open from Monday to Saturday, from 9 AM to 5 PM, with free admission. Educational institutions and groups of more than 15 people must schedule a visit via email at museudoporto@portodesantos.gov.br.