Archivo Histórico de Mendoza Archivo General de la Provincia

History and Founding

The Archivo General de la Provincia de Mendoza, which serves as the historical archive of the province, was established by law on June 20, 1884, during the governorship of Rufino Ortega. The initiative consolidated two previously independent archives: the Oficina Conservadora (Judicial Archive) and the Archivo de Gobierno (which included Cabildo records). Prior to 1884, efforts to organize provincial records date to 1856, when Governor Cornelio Moyano commissioned a collection of documentation dispersed by earlier political upheavals. Over the years the archive passed through various names and administrative jurisdictions, eventually being housed since 1994 in the historic building of the former Estación del Ferrocarril Transandino, declared a provincial heritage site in 1998.

Collections and Holdings

The archive holds documents dating from 1563 to the present, including royal decrees, proclamations by General San Martín, judicial records, military lists, and correspondence with other provinces and abroad. The Hemeroteca Mayor (press collection) contains newspapers from 1863 to the present. The archive also maintains a library of approximately 4,000 volumes on history and related topics, and a photographic archive holding around 100,000 photographs. Additional collections include maps, engineering plans, and other audiovisual materials.

Notable Materials

Among the most historically significant holdings are original royal decrees from the colonial period, military records related to the Army of the Andes, and the extensive newspaper collection that traces the evolution of the Mendocina press since 1863. The archive's collection of San Martín-era documents is particularly notable for research on the independence period.

Access and Usage

The archive is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 to 17:00, and offers guided tours, a library, and an auditorium. It provides access to researchers, students, and the general public. The archive also offers digitization services for key portions of its collection.