It was acquired by the Batlle-Pacheco family in 1904 from the heirs of French businessman Pablo Duplessis. In 1907, while the family were traveling across Europe, the villa went through a series of improvements under the direction of architect Alfredo R. Campos. The restoration process ended in 1911 and the house was used as the family home from that year until José Batlle y Ordóñez’s death in 1929.
The villa covered an area of 36 hectares (89 acres), its boundaries being José Belloni Avenue, Teniente Rinaldi, Capitán Tula and Rafael streets. Eucalyptus groves, fruit trees and vineyards could be found in the land surrounding the house, as well as a wine cellar, a windmill, orchards and fields for livestock. A smaller, adjoining building was set up as a house for the Batlle-Pacheco eldest sons (known as ‘the boys’ house’, currently nursery school no. 381). Housing for both farming and domestic staff was also built in the premises.
When in 1911 Batlle y Ordóñez became President of the Republic for the second time, the house emerged as an important spot regarding political affairs. Piedras Blancas became a well-known neighborhood across the country, since the president used to meet key figures from Uruguay and foreign countries here.
Located in a high spot of the property, the house evokes the renaissance villas from the Roman suburbs with comfortable, bright rooms. The furniture is mainly French, some of the pieces having been acquired by the family during their stay in Europe. The main highlights of the construction are its quality materials, the woodwork in its doors and windows, the wooden floor in its central courtyard and the beveled glass in the doors. Three complete bathrooms are also featured in the main building.
Starting in 1936, few years after José Batlle y Ordóñez’s death, the property was divided and sold as smaller lots to families who wanted to settle in the area. The main building and the gardens that house the museum nowadays were donated to the Museo Histórico Nacional by the family heirs in 1963.
Traducción español a inglés: Lic. Carolina Luongo
