National Museum Bohol: A Glimpse of Bohol’s Rich Cultural Heritage
National Museum of the Philippines – Bohol
The National Museum Bohol is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in learning about the rich cultural heritage of Bohol. Located in the former Provincial Capitol building, the museum is a testament to the Spanish colonial period and has served as a tribunal, prison, and living quarters for the Spanish military force.
National Museum of the Philippines – Bohol
Today, the National Museum of the Philippines Bohol is an educational, scientific, and cultural institution that is dedicated to acquiring, documenting, preserving, exhibiting, and fostering scholarly study and public appreciation of works of art, specimens, and cultural and historical artifacts representative of the unique cultural heritage of the Filipino people.
Visitors to the National Museum Bohol can explore a wide range of exhibits showcasing Bohol’s history, culture, and art. The museum’s collections are diverse and fascinating, from ancient artifacts to contemporary artworks. Some of the highlights of the museum’s collections include the Boholano Goldsmithing Collection, which features intricate gold jewelry and ornaments from the pre-colonial period, and the Bohol Anthropology Collection, which consists of a wide range of artifacts related to the daily life and customs of the Boholano people.
History
The Casa de Cabecera of the Provincial Capitol of Bohol, built in 1860.
The National Museum Bohol, formerly the Provincial Capitol Building, is a standing reminder of the Spanish colonial period. On December 15, 1854, Don Leon Torralba, the gobernadorcillo (mayor) of Tagbilaran, signed an agreement with Kirkpatrich, an engineer, to begin the construction of the Plaza del Principe, the Provincial Capitol of Bohol.
Built with large rough-cut blocks of coral stone, 27,300 bricks, 4,325 cavans of lime, 61,000 roofing tiles, and wood from the “banaba”, “molave”, “tugas”, and “bangkal” trees, the building has stood the test of time. It has been repaired and renovated several times, but the original style of the building has remained unchanged.
The former Provincial Capitol Building was damaged during the 7.2 magnitude Bohol Earthquake on October 15, 2015.
This historical edifice served as the Provincial Capitol of Bohol until it was damaged during the 7.2 magnitude Bohol Earthquake on October 15, 2013. However, the Provincial Government of Bohol donated the building to the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) on June 16, 2014, and it was re-opened to the public as the National Museum Bohol on July 22, 2018, after its repair and restoration.
On the occasion of the 158th Bohol Day, the Provincial Capitol building was declared an Important Cultural Property by the NMP on July 22, 2012, and stands as a symbol of the resilience and strength of the Boholano spirit.
Establishment
The National Museum of the Philippines – Bohol was established to promote the province’s cultural heritage. It aims to preserve, document, exhibit, and foster scholarly study and public appreciation of works of art, specimens, and cultural and historical artifacts representative of the unique cultural heritage of the Filipino people.
Restoration and Renovation
The National Museum Bohol underwent a major restoration and renovation project in 2016. The National Museum and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts funded the project. The restoration and renovation project aimed to improve the museum’s facilities and enhance the visitor experience.
The restoration project included the installation of new air conditioning units, the repair and repainting of the building’s facade, the installation of new lighting fixtures, and the refurbishment of the museum’s galleries. The renovation project included the installation of new exhibits, the redesign of the museum’s layout, and the installation of new interpretive materials.
United States Army Air Forces aerial photograph of Bohol Chocolate Hills dated July 7, 1938.
Collections
The National Museum Bohol houses a diverse collection of artifacts that showcase the province’s rich cultural heritage. The collections are divided into three main categories: Natural History Gallery, Pagbanhaw Gallery, and Pagpauli Gallery.
Natural History Gallery
The Archaeological Finds collection contains artifacts from various archaeological sites across Bohol. The collection includes pottery, stone tools, and metal objects that date back to the pre-colonial era. Some of the notable items in this collection are the burial jars and coffins excavated from the Anda Peninsula.
Archaeological finds in Bohol
Bohol Fishing Traditions
Bohol Farming Traditions
Bohol Tuba production
Asin Tibuok production in Bohol
There’s also a gallery showcasing the local fishing and farming methods of Boholanos, the production of wine from palm sap, and the production of artisanal salt – Asin Tibuok .
Pagpauli Gallery
Come home and celebrate the life and works of Boholano National Artist for Sculpture (1976), Napoleon V. Abueva, in the “Pagpauli: A Homecoming Exhibition of National Artist Napoleon Abueva” at the National Museum Bohol. This unique exhibition, made in partnership with the Abueva family, features 26 of Abueva’s most significant works of art from his personal collection in Duero, Bohol, and Quezon City.
Pagpauli – A homecoming exhibition of National Artist Napoleon Abueva
Tools of National Artist Napoleon Abueva
