Archivo Histórico de la Provincia de Tucumán AHT

History and Founding

The Archivo Histórico de la Provincia de Tucumán (AHT) has roots extending to the colonial era, when provincial records were stored in the Cabildo. A key moment in its institutional history came in 1889, when Governor Lidoro Quinteros proposed creating the Archivo General de la Provincia, which was formally established in 1892 under Governor Próspero García. The current distinction between the Archivo General and the Archivo Histórico was first articulated in the 1912 law creating the Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, which designated historical documents as an annex of the university. The Archivo Histórico functioned under a commission from 1935 until around 1950, when a dedicated Dirección de Archivo Histórico was established. Since 2001, the AHT has operated independently from the Archivo General in a historic building at Calle 25 de Mayo 487, in the center of San Miguel de Tucumán.

Collections and Holdings

The AHT is one of Argentina's most important provincial archives, holding approximately 2,000 linear meters of documents from the 16th to the 20th century. Its earliest records include the Libro de la Fundación de la ciudad and the Actas Capitulares from 1565. The archive is organized in seven documentary funds: Gobierno, Hacienda, Judicial, Protocolo, Cabildo, Archivo Legislatura, and Complementarias. The accompanying library and hemeroteca hold over 5,000 volumes and extensive newspaper runs including El Orden, La Razón, and La Voz. The archive also maintains microfilmed copies of the Diario El Orden (1883–1943) produced in cooperation with the Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, as well as a Department of Maps and Plans.

Notable Materials Related to Journalism and Media

The archive holds an extensive hemeroteca with collections of historic provincial newspapers, including runs of El Orden (1883–1943), La Razón, and La Voz, which are significant primary sources for the study of regional media history.

Access and Usage

The AHT employs 13 permanent staff and rotating UNT student interns. Documents can be consulted including notarial deeds, judicial records, administrative correspondence, and colonial land titles from 1573 to 1960. The archive is gradually digitizing its holdings to facilitate broader access.