San Juan National Historic Site: Casa Blanca Historical Monument and Museum – San Juan PR

City:
San Juan, PUERTO-RICO

Site Type:
Education and Health, Parks and Recreation, Military and Public Safety, Archaeology and History, Museums, Gardens and Nurseries, Archaeology, Historical Restoration

New Deal Agencies:
Work Relief Programs, Works Progress Administration (WPA)

Started:
1935

Completed:
1939

Quality of Information:
Moderate

Marked:
Yes

Site Survival:
Extant

Description

Between 1935 and 1939, WPA crews conducted historic restoration and renovation work at this site, Casa-Torre de Ponce de León, built in 1521 for the notoriously brutal conquistador who died before ever occupying the residence. It is better known as Casa Blanca, or “White House.” WPA work included roof repairs, installation of lighting, and creation of a garden. It now houses a museum with information about early colonial life on the island.

 

Source notes

National Archives and Records Administration, Records of the Work Projects Administration, Information Service, Primary File, 1936-42, Box 15, Folder 290-B. "Old San Juan Historic District," National Park Service website, accessed July 29, 2015.

Site originally submitted by Brent McKee - wpatoday.org on July 28, 2015.

Location Info


1 Calle San Sebastián
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00926

Coordinates: 18.466706, -66.120396

Contribute to this Site

We welcome contributions of additional information on any New Deal site.

Submit More Information or Photographs for this New Deal Site

Join the Conversation

Please note:

  • We are not involved in the management of New Deal sites and have no information about visits, hours or rentals.
  • This page shows all the information we have for this site; if you have new information or photos to share, click the button above.

Your email address will not be published, shared, or sold.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Contribute to this Site

We welcome contributions of additional information on any New Deal project site.

Submit More Information or Photographs for this New Deal Site

Join the Conversation

Please note:

  • We are not involved in the management of New Deal sites and have no information about visits, hours or rentals.
  • This page shows all the information we have for this site; if you have new information or photos to share, click the button above.

Your email address will not be published, shared, or sold.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.