Museum of Arts and Sciences |
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| Established | 22 November 1682[1] |
| Location | University of Santo Tomas, Espana Boulevard, Sampaloc, Manila |
| Type | University Museum |
| Director | Rev. Fr. Isidro C. Abaño, O.P. |
| Website | http://ustmuseum.ust.edu.ph |
The University of Santo Tomas Museum of Arts and Sciences is the oldest existing museum in the Philippines. Started as a Gabinete de Fisica, an observation room of mineral, botany and biology collections in the 17th century. Under the old Spanish educational law the collections were used as classroom materials for the courses in science especially in Medicine and Pharmacy.
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Fr. Ramon Martinez, O.P., a professor of Natural History, founded the UST Museum of Arts and Sciences in 1871. However, it was Fr. Casto de Elera, O.P., who started to systematically gather and catalogue all the collections, some of which date back to 1682.[1]
Considered the oldest school-based museum in the Philippines, the UST Museum became a repository of scientific and artistic articles and objets d’art. Starting in 1941, it acquired the works of Filipino masters such as Fernando and Pablo Amorsolo, Carlos Francisco, Vicente Manansala, and Galo Ocampo. The Museum has permanent displays for specimens of Natural History; Ethnographic materials; Oriental Arts objects; Philippine Religious images; Paintings; and Coins, Medals, and Memorabilia. The painting collection includes works from the 17th to the 20th century.[1]
The Museum also houses the Museum Gallery, a souvenir shop, and a mini-library. The Museum Gallery has served as the venue for art exhibitions.[1]