The building that hosts today the “Children’s Museum” once served as headquarters of the Old Central Penitentiary, which ran its course for over 70 years since 1909. On December 20^th 1979, and during the presidency of Rodrigo Carazo, the prison was permanently closed and remained abandoned for several years.

The renovation that had the large structure become what is now a complex of culturally related sites begun by 1991, when the former first lady Gloria Bejarano de Calderon created the Foundation Ayudanos para Ayudar (lit. “Help us in order to help”), managing to commence the transformation of the dark sites into enlightened ones. On April 27^th 1994, the Costa Rican Center of Science and Culture is also born under the premise that “it is preferred to educate a child to avoid punishing the adult”.

During the ending months of 1993, the National Gallery was also inaugurated and in 1994 the Museo de los Niños opens its doors. The National Auditorium (also located within the premises) was built shortly after.

The building itself stands as a proud contradiction to its original intention, utilizing the Neo-gothic style of its architecture (typical of such constructions in the early 20^th century) to embolden the character of its new pedagogic approach.

The museum employs many different technological and visual elements to make for enjoyable experience for children and adults alike. Over 40 halls with different content are available to the visitor.

Important FAQS:

-Open Tuesdays to Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – Saturdays and Sundays from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

-Entrance fee is of 800 colones for Children and 1100 colones adults (approximately $1.50 and $2.00)

(This article was built with the aid of the Children’s Museum Official Website http://www.museocr.com)