Brazilian Historic and Geographic Institute

Welcome to the Instituto Histórico e Geográfico Brasileiro, commonly known as the IHGB. This institution is the primary custodian of Brazil’s national narrative. …

The IHGB was born during the Regency period, a turbulent time in Brazilian history. In eighteen thirty-eight, a group of twenty-seven founding members met at the National Museum to establish an institute that would promote the…

No individual was more important to the success of the IHGB than Emperor Dom Pedro II. A man of immense intellectual curiosity, he became the patron of the institute and frequently attended its meetings, sitting in a chair that…

One of the most fascinating aspects of the IHGB’s mission was the investigation of 'Brazilianness' or the Brazilian character. The institute’s members—historians, novelists, poets, and politicians—debated what made the Brazilian…

The heart of the IHGB is its library and archive, which contain over two hundred thousand volumes and an incredible collection of rare manuscripts, maps, and photographs. This is the 'memory of Brazil' in physical form. …

Beyond paper and ink, the IHGB houses a significant museum collection. This includes artifacts that belonged to the Imperial family, medals, paintings, and ethnographic objects collected during early scientific expeditions into…

The current headquarters of the IHGB is located in the Augusta's building, a modern structure that replaced its earlier homes. While the building itself is relatively modern, the interior is designed to reflect the prestige and…

Our exploration of the Brazilian Historic and Geographic Institute concludes here, at the crossroads of history and identity. The IHGB is far from a stagnant museum; it is a living institution that continues to host debates,…