Casa Popenoe: A Window into Antigua's Colonial Past

Casa Popenoe offers a captivating glimpse into Antigua's colonial past. Built in the 18th century atop earlier colonial structures, the house was acquired in 1929 by American Wilson Popenoe and his wife Dorothy, who dedicated themselves to its restoration. The Popenoes filled the house with period furniture and artifacts, creating a living museum of colonial life. After Dorothy's death, Wilson and his second wife, Helen, continued to add to the collection.Today, Casa Popenoe stands as a testament to their dedication and a window into the lives of Antigua's elite during the Spanish colonial era. The house features a library with over 2,300 books and magazines on botany, agriculture, and Guatemalan history, as well as collections of furniture, paintings, and ceramics. The gardens showcase sixty-one plant species.A visit to Casa Popenoe provides insight into the architectural style of the time, as well as the cultural and social context of 18th-century Antigua. Knowledgeable guides share the history of the house and its occupants, highlighting the architectural elements, artwork, and stories behind the objects. Casa Popenoe also hosts cultural and academic activities.