Musée du Panthéon National Haïtien

Collections and exhibits

The museum traces Taíno culture, the history of the Spanish empire in Haiti, and a section dedicated to the heroes of Haitian independence, including the silver gun with which Henri Christophe committed suicide, and the bell used to announce Haitian independence. It also contains slavery chains, torture instruments, sculptures, and temporary exhibitions of paintings.

Underneath the floor of the main hall lie the interred remains of the Founding Fathers of Haiti. Above them is a shaft of natural light that illuminates a golden monument in the shape of the cannons and banners of the Flag of Haiti. On the surrounding walls are written the names of the heroes of the Revolution.

The museum also contains the rusted anchor of the flagship of Christopher Columbus, the Santa Maria, measuring 4 meters high. One can also find the black hat and cane that belonged to François Duvalier, a copy of the Code Noir, and the crown of the Haitian Emperor, Faustin Soulouque.

| File:Musée du Panthéon National Haïtien (8070550861).jpg | Silver pistol used in the suicide of Henri Christophe | File:Haiti Weekend 066 (8070544450).jpg | Rusted anchor from the Santa Maria, flagship of Christopher Columbus | File:Faustin Soulouque crown and Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit.jpg | The crown that belonged to Faustin Soulouque (and the Domincan Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, looking at it) | File:Slave chains MUPANAH.jpg | "Slave chains." Haiti is the only state in the modern world that was created from a successful slave revolt. | File: | Write a caption here

History

The National Pantheon Museum in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti was opened in 1983 during the presidency of Jean-Claude Duvalier. The First lady of Haiti, Michèle Bennett, was instrumental in its conception, inauguration and permanent collection. This cultural center is to perpetuate and disseminate the memory of "Fathers of the Nation".

2010 earthquake

In the year 2000, there were seven historical museums in Haiti. Most of them suffered irreparable damage following the earthquake in Haiti in 2010. However, the National Pantheon museum building was only slightly damaged due in part to its semi-buried construction, making it less prone to destruction. By 2012, however, some damage was starting to show its signs; the marble was starting to wear.

References

References

1. (2014-07-14). "Uncommon Caribbean - Musée du Panthéon National Haïtien: Uncommon Attraction".
2. (2018-07-21). "Musée du Panthéon National Haïtien {{!}}".
3. "Musée du Panthéon National {{!}} Port-au-Prince & Around, Haiti {{!}} Attractions".
4. "Musée du Panthéon National Haïtien {{!}} Fondation pour la memoire de l'esclavage".
5. "Port – au – Prince".
6. "Installation au Musée du Panthéon National Haïtien".
7. "Musée du Panthéon National {{!}} Port-au-Prince & Around, Haiti {{!}} Attractions".
8. Wegener, Corine. (May 4–8, 2018). "Smithsonian – Haiti Conservation Team Report".