Museum of Ethnography and Folklore - Peace

It is located at the intersection of streets Ingavid the Gente of the Genat Santhé, N° 916, in the historic center of La Paz.
The museum operates in the old Palace of the Marquises of Villaverde, built approximately in 1730.
- The building is colonial style with internal patios, stone arches and classical ornamental details.
- It was declared a National Monument in 1930.

Origins: in 1925 The Scientific Department of Ethnography was created as part of the National Museum, as part of Bolivia's centenary celebrations.
In 1962 officially opened under the name “Museum of Crafts and Popular Art”, installed in the Villaverde Palace.
In 1974 changed its name to the National Museum of Ethnography and Folklore (MUSEF).
In 1983 It passed its administration to the Central Bank of Bolivia. From 1995, is part of the Cultural Foundation of the Central Bank of Bolivia (FCCB).
Extensions have been made: In the years 1998-1999, adjacent properties were acquired (Casa Guidi and others) and a modern expansion was inaugurated in 2004.

Collections and exhibitions

The museum has some 30.000 cultural pieces among pre-Hispanic relics, colonial and contemporary.
It also has an extensive audiovisual documentary collection. (approximately 171.000 records) which includes recordings, documents, collections of researchers such as Posnansky, Ponce Sangines, Albarracin, inter alia.
Permanent exhibitions include:
- Rituality Room, fiesta, traditions (photography of 1935 a 1992, social, policy, minas, rural)
- mask room
- Textiles, handicraft, ceramics, artistically plumary
- Numismatics (coins) The photographic collection of Damián Ayma Zepita, recently recognized by UNESCO as part of Memory of the World.
MUSEF also organizes the “Annual Meeting of Ethnology (RAE)" from 1987, with round tables, talks and debates about Bolivian cultures.

Typical schedule: Monday to Friday from 9:00 a 12:30 y 15:00 a 19:00. Saturdays: 9:00 a 16:30. Sundays: 9:00 a 12:30.
Telephone / contact: (591‑2) 2408640 / 2406030.
Postal address: Ingavi N° 916.