Museo de Historia de Panamá

The building that houses the Museum of Panamanian History might as well be one of the exhibits; the museum is on the second floor of the Palacio Municipal, an imposing neoclassical structure built in 1875 as the Gran Hotel, atop the site of the town hall where independence was declared from Spain in 1821. In 1881, it was converted to headquarters for the French Canal Company and now contains informative exhibits about many epochs of the Republic: the geology of the isthmus, pre-Colombian culture, colonial settlement, the massive process of building the Canal, and aspects of contemporary society. Some historical documents are safeguarded here, including the 1977 treaty that set out the terms for transferring control of the Former Canal Zone to Panama in 1999. Enthusiasts will enjoy the collections of old coins and stamps, and children will have fun with the interactive exhibits. Information is available in English and Spanish, and guides for tours are on the premises. The Museum also comprises a library, café, and bookstore for visitors.