TL;DR I visited Museo Casa de Carranza in Mexico City and researched official sources (INAH and cultural registries). This former Porfirian-era house (built c.1908 by engineer Manuel Luis Stampa) was Venustiano Carranza’s home during the last months of his life and today is an INAH-run museum housing period rooms, a specialized library (Carranza’s personal collection), and exhibitions about the Mexican Revolution and the 1917 Constitution. Practical details: Río Lerma 35, Cuauhtémoc; Tue–Sun 10:00–17:00; general fee ~MXN 75; Sundays free for Mexican citizens and several categories of visitors. Below I give history, what to see, a practical visiting plan, a short comparative table, and FAQs based on official information and my visit.

Museo Casa de Carranza Mexico City: A Complete Guide to History and Culture

Why this house matters — my perspective

I’ve spent years researching Mexico City’s political and cultural landmarks. Museo Casa de Carranza stands out because it isn’t just a preserved home; it’s a site where national politics, the Revolution’s aftermath, and the creation of constitutional memory intersect. Walking its halls, you feel the layers: a Porfirian domestic interior, a wartime barracks, diplomatic uses in the 1920s, and finally a museum dedicated to constitutional history.

A concise history

The house was built around 1908 by the civil engineer Manuel Luis Stampa during the Porfiriato, in the eclectic style common to affluent Mexico City neighborhoods of that era. During the revolution it was occupied and used as a military barracks because of its proximity to rail lines. Venustiano Carranza rented the house and lived there during the last six months of his life; after his assassination in 1920, his remains were brought back and a funeral took place in the main hall. Over subsequent decades the building served diplomatic functions (it was rented to foreign embassies) and, by presidential decree in 1942, it was incorporated into national heritage projects as a museum and library dedicated to constitutional history. The museum opened formally in 1961 and later became part of the INAH museum network in the early 1990s (official institutional records and INAH materials attest to this sequence).

The building and collections — what you’ll actually see

The museum preserves domestic rooms and public spaces laid out to tell the story of Carranza’s life, the Revolution, and the 1917 Constitution. On my visit I noticed:

• Period rooms and a formal main hall used for funerary ceremonies and public events historically.
• A dedicated library that originated with Carranza’s own collection — the core is about 800+ volumes on Mexican and world history, politics, agronomy, education and literature (local library inventories note roughly 833 works forming the historic nucleus).
• Permanent exhibit rooms (the museum’s published materials mention around a dozen or so rooms) presenting documents, photos, uniforms, and multimedia that contextualize the constitutional debates and political rivalries of the 1910s and 1920s.
• Temporary exhibition space, an auditorium for talks/films, and a small bookstore and lockers for visitors.

What makes the museum unique

• It’s both a house museum and a site of constitutional memory — you don’t just learn about Carranza; you learn how the 1917 Constitution was received and interpreted in the decades that followed.
• The library anchors the museum’s research potential — scholars can access Carranza’s own references and works gathered by the Constituent Deputies of 1917.
• The building’s multiple historical roles (residence, barracks, embassy, museum) provide a compact narrative of Mexico’s early 20th-century turbulence.

Exhibits and highlights I recommend

• Main hall: often hosts the most emotionally charged materials — funerary photographs, testimony about Carranza’s final days, and interpretive panels about his policies.
• Library/Despacho (study): a rare glimpse at the books and intellectual influences that shaped Carranza’s thinking.
• Military and Constituent rooms: displays on the Army Constitutionalista, rivalries with other revolutionary leaders, and the drafting of constitutional articles.
• Temporary gallery: frequently rotates local scholarly exhibitions on constitutional law, agrarian reform, and political iconography.

Visitor experience — practical notes from my visit

My visit felt well-organized. Signage and some multimedia are in Spanish; guided tours are available and worthwhile if you want a deeper political or legal context. The staff were helpful about the library and guided options. The museum operates basic visitor services: toilets, lockers, bookstore and accessibility accommodations have been listed in INAH’s official visitor information.

Comparative snapshot

Feature	Museo Casa de Carranza	Typical large national museum
Main focus	Life of Carranza, Mexican Revolution, Constitution of 1917	Broader national or thematic collections (archaeology, ethnography, large applied history)
Building type	Porfirian-era house (eclectic), historic domestic layout	Large purpose-built or converted institutional building
Research resources	Specialized library centered on Carranza and constitutional matters (historic volumes)	Extensive archives and conservation labs, but less intimate in-house collection focus
Average visit time	1–2 hours (house, library, one temporary exhibit)	3+ hours (large permanent collections)
Typical crowding	Quieter, neighborhood museum experience	Busier; tourist and school groups common

Practical Guide

Below are concrete steps and tips to plan a smooth visit based on official schedules and my on-site experience.

Before you go — tickets, hours, contact

1. Check opening days and hours: the museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, from 10:00 to 17:00 (INAH visitor information).
2. Admission: expect a general fee around MXN 75; Sundays are free for Mexican citizens. Children under 13, Mexican students, teachers and senior citizens can enter free on specified conditions — consult staff at the desk on arrival.
3. If you need specific services (library access, guided group tours, or educational programs), email the museum ahead: [email protected] or phone the number listed in official material. When I called in advance, staff gave straightforward guidance about group bookings.

How to get there

1. Address: Río Lerma No. 35, Colonia Cuauhtémoc, CP 06500.
2. Public transport: nearest Metro stations include Insurgentes and Hidalgo; Metrobús stops at Hamburgo and Reforma are also convenient. Walking from Reforma/Insurgentes is straightforward if you enjoy the neighborhood’s architecture.
3. Private car/taxi: the area is urban; parking is limited — I recommend public transport or a rideshare drop-off at the entrance.

On arrival

1. Bring ID if you qualify for a concession or free entry (Mexican citizens on free Sundays, students, teachers, seniors).
2. Lockers are available for bags; no food is allowed inside and smoking is prohibited.
3. Photography: policies can vary by room and temporary exhibit — ask staff on arrival. During my visit, non-flash photography was allowed in most rooms but staff clarified exceptions for loans or sensitive documents.

Suggested route through the museum (approx. 60–90 minutes)

1. Start in the vestibule/main hall to ground yourself in the house’s public life and funerary history.
2. Move to the despacho/library to see Carranza’s books and learn about intellectual influences that shaped constitutional debates.
3. Proceed through the military/Constituent rooms to follow the Revolution’s political narrative and the constitution-making process.
4. Finish in the temporary exhibition space or auditorium events to see contemporary reinterpretations or scholarly talks.

Accessibility and facilities

• The museum lists accessibility among its services; however, older houses can have level changes — if mobility is an issue, contact the museum ahead to confirm accommodations.
• Facilities include toilets, a bookstore, lockers and a library reading room with curated materials (library hours for research may differ; the library has weekday schedules listed in municipal library directories).

My top tips

• Go midweek or early morning to avoid school groups and get a quieter experience.
• Combine the visit with a walk along Reforma or a stop at nearby cultural spots — Cuauhtémoc has many galleries and small museums within walking distance.
• If you’re a researcher, request library access in advance; the Carranza core collection is a singular resource for constitutional and revolutionary studies.

FAQs

What are the museum’s opening hours and admission cost?

The museum is generally open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00. The standard admission fee is around MXN 75; check the museum’s official channels for current pricing. Sundays are free for Mexican citizens; concessions exist for children under 13, students, teachers and senior citizens according to official visitor policies.

Where is Museo Casa de Carranza located and how do I get there?

It’s at Río Lerma No. 35, Colonia Cuauhtémoc, Mexico City. Nearest Metro stations are Insurgentes and Hidalgo; Metrobús stops Hamburgo and Reforma are also nearby. Walking from Paseo de la Reforma is a pleasant option if you’re in that central area.

Can I take photos inside?

Photography policies vary by room and exhibit. During my visit, non-flash photography was allowed in many areas, but some documents and temporary loaned pieces may be restricted. Ask at the front desk to avoid issues.

Is the museum accessible for people with reduced mobility?

The museum lists accessibility among its services, but keep in mind it’s a historic house with possible stairs and level changes. Contact the museum in advance to confirm specific accommodations or to request assistance on arrival.

Does the museum have a library or resources for researchers?

Yes. The museum houses a specialized library that includes Venustiano Carranza’s private collection (roughly 800+ volumes forming the historic core) and the “Constituyentes de 1917” library. The library and reading room support research, but researchers should arrange access in advance and confirm hours—library schedules can differ from museum hours.

Are guided tours available and in which language?

Guided tours are offered; most interpretive material and regular guides operate in Spanish. If you need a tour in another language, inquire ahead — on-site staff can advise about availability, guided group bookings, or educational programs.

Is the museum family-friendly?

Yes. It’s a manageable size for children and offers free entry for Mexican children under 13. The narrative is historic and political, so younger children may need extra context, but the period rooms and objects tend to engage visitors of various ages.

Are there any visitor rules I should know about?

Standard museum rules apply: no food, no smoking, pets are not allowed, and certain items may need to be stored in lockers. Respect restricted areas and photography policies as posted.

Final thoughts — why visit

If you’re interested in Mexico’s political history, the Mexican Revolution, or the story behind the 1917 Constitution, Museo Casa de Carranza offers concentrated historical insight in a domestic, human-scale setting. As a former residence that witnessed key political moments and later became a national museum and research library, the site is invaluable for historians and curious travelers alike. My visit convinced me that this house-museum is both a quiet pocket of reflection and an active node for constitutional and revolutionary memory in Mexico City.

If you want, I can help you plan an itinerary combining Casa de Carranza with nearby cultural stops, or draft an email template you can use to request special access to the library or a guided tour from the museum staff.