Museu da Borracha
Acre
Museu da Borracha is a Brazilian museum located in Rio Branco, the capital of Acre state. Established in 1978, it serves as a cultural and historical repository dedicated to the socio-economic history and material culture of Acre, particularly highlighting the rubber industry which played a crucial role in the region's development. The museum houses over 5,300 pieces, including paleontological fossils, archaeological artifacts from indigenous sites, ethnographic materials representing indigenous groups of Acre and Amazonas, and objects related to the rubber boom and Acre's political history such as equipment used by rubber tappers and memorabilia from the Acre Revolution. It also preserves a significant collection of religious cultural items, especially related to the Santo Daime tradition and other popular religious manifestations of the region. The museum includes a specialized library and archive with thousands of volumes, newspapers dating back to the mid-19th century, musical scores, and a large collection of vinyl records. Its educational activities serve students, teachers, and visitors, offering a comprehensive insight into Acre's cultural heritage and history.
Plan your trip to Brazil with AI
Create a detailed itinerary in minutes. AI suggests the best places, restaurants, and an optimized route.
Tip: Visitors are advised to check the museum's opening hours and consider visiting during weekdays for a quieter experience. The museum offers educational programs suitable for students and researchers. Booking in advance is recommended for group visits or guided tours. Discounts may be available for students and seniors. The museum's location in Rio Branco's city center is accessible by local transport.
Interesting facts
- •The museum's paleontological collection includes fossils such as a mastodon jaw and a distal femur, and a jaw of an extinct crocodile species.
- •It holds one of the largest newspaper archives in the Amazon region, with publications dating back to the mid-19th century.
- •The museum conserves one of the most complete collections of objects related to the Santo Daime religious tradition, including ceremonial uniforms and ritual plants.
- •It preserves musical scores from the now-defunct Banda da Guarda Territorial, featuring works by notable Acrean composers Sandoval dos Anjos and Zeca Torres.
- •The museum received a donation of approximately 7,000 vinyl records from Rádio Difusora Acreana, enriching its music archive.
History
The Museu da Borracha was established by a state decree on April 3, 1978, and inaugurated on November 5 of the same year to commemorate the centenary of northeastern migration to Acre.
Initially housed on Getúlio Vargas Avenue, it was transferred in 1986 to the headquarters of the Fundação Elias Mansour, the state public body overseeing cultural spaces.
Since 1990, the museum occupies the former building of the defunct Superintendência da Borracha (SUDHEVA) on Ceará Avenue in downtown Rio Branco.
Over the decades, it has become the central museological institution in Acre, preserving significant documentary, historical, and cultural records of the state.
Place Guide
Paleontological Collection
Features fossils of prehistoric animals such as mastodon jawbones and extinct crocodile species, illustrating the ancient fauna of the region.
Archaeological Collection
Displays artifacts from the Pirarrã archaeological site, including anthropomorphic decorated vessels, funerary urns, blades, and various utensils reflecting indigenous cultures.
Ethnographic Collection
Showcases material culture of indigenous peoples from Acre and Amazonas, such as hunting and warfare tools, feather art, baskets, ceramics, body adornments, and textiles.
Rubber Boom and Socio-economic History
Exhibits equipment used by rubber tappers (seringueiros), replicas of regional fauna made from rubber, and objects related to the Acre Revolution including uniforms and weapons used in territorial disputes between Brazil and Bolivia.
Religious Culture Section
Houses one of the most comprehensive collections of Santo Daime religious objects, including ritual plants and liturgical uniforms, as well as artifacts related to religious life in rubber plantations and popular regional religious festivities.
Library and Archive
Specialized in the history of Amazonas and Acre, containing around 4,700 volumes including books, periodicals, manuscripts, photographs, and documents from rubber plantations.
Contact
Phone: (68) 3223-1202
