Dominican Today reports that, in the Dominican Republic, residents of San Cristóbal are calling for the restoration of Casa de Caoba, which was declared a national heritage monument with Law 44-87 in 1987. “Community members and local leaders are advocating for the restoration of the building and its transformation into the San Cristóbal Historical Museum.”
Residents of San Cristóbal have raised concerns over the apparent deterioration of the historic Casa de Caoba and are urging authorities to enforce Law 44-87, which declared the site a national heritage monument in 1987. Community members and local leaders are advocating for the restoration of the building and its transformation into the San Cristóbal Historical Museum.
Representatives of the Pro-Museum Committee, José Napoleón Domínguez and William Alcántara, emphasized the building’s historical and architectural value. They propose reactivating the Casa de Caoba Trust, established by law, to oversee restoration efforts and ensure the site’s cultural preservation. Their vision includes a modern museum with permanent and rotating exhibits, interactive displays, and educational resources that trace the province’s history—from its Taíno origins to colonial times, independence, and the modern era.
The committee also stressed the potential economic and cultural benefits of the project. They believe the museum could become a key tourist attraction, revive local pride, and help reinvigorate San Cristóbal’s tourism industry. Once a vibrant destination, the city could benefit from renewed visitor interest and economic development tied to cultural heritage.
About Casa de Caoba
[It] was built in the late 1930s, during the period when Trujillo had already established the full structure that would support his regime in the years to come. It is located on a strategic hill overlooking one of the most beautiful landscapes in the “Benemérita” city, precisely in an area with one of the highest levels of rainfall in the country—between 2,000 and 2,500 millimeters per year.
This climatic condition makes the surrounding area ideal for the growth of mahogany trees. According to close collaborators of the dictator, this was the place where he lived his domestic life and from where he oversaw his well-known Hacienda Fundación.
For the original article, see https://dominicantoday.com/dr/local/2025/07/24/san-cristobal-residents-call-for-restoration-of-historic-casa-de-caoba/