The museum building, Villa Junqueira, was originally constructed as a private residence for a prominent local family.
The collection includes artifacts related to the arrival of the Mogiana railway, which was a critical factor in the city's tourism boom.
The institution emphasizes the history of 'thermalism,' or the use of mineral waters for health, which defined the city's economy.
The museum holds a significant collection of photographs documenting the urban transformation of Poços de Caldas in the 1930s and 40s.
It is located within the Urca Cultural Center complex, a major hub for arts and local administration.
The Historical and Geographic Museum of Poços de Caldas is housed within the Villa Junqueira, a historic mansion built in 1928 that serves as a prime example of the city's early 20th-century architectural heritage. The museum preserves the regional identity of Poços de Caldas, focusing on its transition from a rural settlement to a prominent thermal tourism destination. Exhibits document the development of the city's famous mineral water spas and the history of the local railway station. Visitors can view collections detailing the socio-economic evolution of the Minas Gerais region, including traditional domestic life artifacts and historical photography. The building itself reflects the influence of the Belle Époque aesthetic prevalent in the region during the 1920s. It functions as the primary repository for the municipality's heritage and historical archives.
The mansion's exterior facade featuring the characteristic 1920s architecture and the manicured front gardens.
Combine your visit with a walk through the surrounding Urca gardens.
Check local event calendars as the complex often hosts temporary art exhibitions alongside the permanent collection.
The museum is highly walkable, making it easy to visit other nearby thermal baths on the same day.
Do not mistake the museum for the municipal administrative offices located in different wings of the Urca building.
Closed on Mondays for maintenance and administrative updates.
Maintain a quiet volume; do not touch historical artifacts or glass displays.
