Casa Popenoe
Casa Popenoe
4.5
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
About
Casa Popenoe appeals to the inquiring mind. It prompts us to ask questions about ideas, about passion, about commitment; about history, art, science, beauty, austerity, proportion. What role does each play in human development? In the development of civilization?
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
107 reviews
Excellent
77
Very good
21
Average
5
Poor
1
Terrible
3
Betsy L
6 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
This was one of my favorite places in Antigua. The history of the house itself and the Poponoe family is fascinating. We had a knowledgeable guide, an architect, who was generous with his time and our questions. Spending time in the gardens and rooms of the house made it easy to imagine what life would have been like in the colonial era. Learning about Wilson Poponoe's contributions to agriculture and appreciation for the history of Antigua made me want to learn more about his work.
Take time to book a tour ahead of time and you won't be sorry.
Take time to book a tour ahead of time and you won't be sorry.
Written July 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GeorgiaGypsyMacon_GA
Macon, GA40 contributions
Mar 2014 • Family
In a city noted for its world renown historical restoration and preservation, Casa Popenoe, home for wealthy Antigua citizens for centuries, stands out as a monumental achievement, accomplished by a family whose love of this beautiful colonial mansion is singlehandly responsible for its restored glory.
During the many years my wife Mary and I have been visiting Antigua, the legendary house wasn't open to the public. But today limited tours are conducted by its curator and historian Dr. Alberto Girón and his staff.
His research has revealed that in 1560, a house was built on the land where Casa Popenoe stands today. The present house, which has been extensively remodeled over the years, was constructed in 1650.
Dr. Girón does a remarkable job of avoiding the feel of a museum walk; instead, he creates the ambiance of what it would have been like to have lived in this Colonial life style. You sense the history that has occurred here as you stroll through its spacious rooms with authentic furnishings, beautiful courtyard with a fountain, kitchen garden, stables and service courtyards.
The house was in ruins when Dr. Wilson Popenoe and his wife Dorothy purchased it in 1930. They were able to visualize what an architectural jewel it could become again despite its dilapidated condition. The couple spent six years authentically restoring the house to its previous grandeur. Years after Dorothy's death, Dr. Popenoe married Helen, an art historian who acquired many of the home's artifacts now on display.
In 2007, Dr. Marion Popenoe Hatch, an acclaimed international archeologist, as was her mother Dorothy, and her siblings donated the house to Universidad Francisco MarroquÃn for use as a museum and teaching resource
Our tour of Casa Popenoe was like a second pilgrimage to the site of an important place Dr. Wilson Popenoe left his mark on. A botanist, agronomist and agricultural explorer, Dr. Popenoe established Lancetilla Botanical Garden and Research Center in Honduras, in 1925.
As a Senior Master Gardener I was in awe of this remarkable horticultural resource during a year-long trip through all of Central and South America several decades ago. Visiting these two important Popenoe endeavors enhanced my appreciation for his dedication and accomplishments and his remarkable family.
Louis Adamic (1899-1951) describes the essence of Casa Popenoe in hisbook, "The House in Antigua" (1937):
"Casa Popenoe appeals to the inquiring mind. It prompts us to ask questions about ideas, about passion, about commitment, about history, art, science, beauty, austerity, proportion."
VISITOR INFORMATION
Casa Popenoe can only be seen by guided tour; at present, limited to groups of five or more, arranged in advance.
Tour Hours: Monday — Friday 8 am – 4 pm; Saturdays 8 am - 11 am.
To schedule a tour, please send an email to casapopenoe@ufm.edu or call [+502] 2338-7959.
Admission is USD 10 or 80 quetzales per person ($5 or Q40 per University student).
During the many years my wife Mary and I have been visiting Antigua, the legendary house wasn't open to the public. But today limited tours are conducted by its curator and historian Dr. Alberto Girón and his staff.
His research has revealed that in 1560, a house was built on the land where Casa Popenoe stands today. The present house, which has been extensively remodeled over the years, was constructed in 1650.
Dr. Girón does a remarkable job of avoiding the feel of a museum walk; instead, he creates the ambiance of what it would have been like to have lived in this Colonial life style. You sense the history that has occurred here as you stroll through its spacious rooms with authentic furnishings, beautiful courtyard with a fountain, kitchen garden, stables and service courtyards.
The house was in ruins when Dr. Wilson Popenoe and his wife Dorothy purchased it in 1930
In 2007, Dr. Marion Popenoe Hatch, an acclaimed international archeologist, as was her mother Dorothy, and her siblings donated the house to Universidad Francisco MarroquÃn for use as a museum and teaching resource
Our tour of Casa Popenoe was like a second pilgrimage to the site of an important place Dr. Wilson Popenoe left his mark on. A botanist, agronomist and agricultural explorer, Dr. Popenoe established Lancetilla Botanical Garden and Research Center in Honduras, in 1925
As a Senior Master Gardener I was in awe of this remarkable horticultural resource during a year-long trip through all of Central and South America several decades ago. Visiting these two important Popenoe endeavors enhanced my appreciation for his dedication and accomplishments and his remarkable family.
Louis Adamic (1899-1951) describes the essence of Casa Popenoe in hisbook, "The House in Antigua" (1937):
"Casa Popenoe appeals to the inquiring mind. It prompts us to ask questions about ideas, about passion, about commitment, about history, art, science, beauty, austerity, proportion."
VISITOR INFORMATION
Casa Popenoe can only be seen by guided tour; at present, limited to groups of five or more, arranged in advance.
Tour Hours: Monday — Friday 8 am – 4 pm; Saturdays 8 am - 11 am.
To schedule a tour, please send an email to casapopenoe@ufm.edu or call [+502] 2338-7959.
Admission is USD 10 or 80 quetzales per person ($5 or Q40 per University student).
Written June 20, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kappy11
Antigua, Guatemala2 contributions
A well restored casa, circa 1700,1800's. Very fascinating story about how avacados were introduced to California from here. It's only open limited hours, so check before you go.
Written October 20, 2007
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jack R
Decatur, Georgia, United States39 contributions
Mar 2016
By all means reserve a tour at this fantastic 18th Century that was restored by American Wiison Popenoe after he bought it and some adjoining property in the 1930s. His family lived in the home until 2007 and it is now part of Universidad Francico Marroquin. The Wilsons decorated the home with colonial furniture and art from all over Central America, and the grounds are beautifully kept. Our 75 minute tour was one of the highlights of our stay in Antigua.
Written March 15, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the review!!!! We are always happy when visitors like the house and we enjoy ourselves showing it and explaining a bit of Guatemala history.
Written March 17, 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hugh T
Atlanta, GA54 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
This wonderful house museum was recommended to us by a fellow dealer in antiques. He was spot on! This was our favorite museum in a town full of interesting things. The Casa tour has to be booked via the internet. You’ll find the web address on the door of the house. Lorena was our contact. She also provided the tour in Spanish the day we visited. A tour in English is provided on some days, unfortunately not the days we were available.
The tour gives great insights into the beginning of the development of Antigua and how the house itself was restored. The tour takes around one and a half hours. It seems quicker.
It’s worth the small effort required to make the appointment. The web address is casapopenoe@ufm.edu
Use this to make your online appointment. Hope you’ll enjoy it as much as we did.
The tour gives great insights into the beginning of the development of Antigua and how the house itself was restored. The tour takes around one and a half hours. It seems quicker.
It’s worth the small effort required to make the appointment. The web address is casapopenoe@ufm.edu
Use this to make your online appointment. Hope you’ll enjoy it as much as we did.
Written April 16, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review, we are always delighted to give our best to visitors so they will have a wonderful tour.
You are always welcome!
Written April 17, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Mishka B
Bratislava, Slovakia100 contributions
Jan 2018 • Couples
It is worth to stop by and visit the house's rooms,kitchen,roof top. It was cool to listen about the family who lived there, you had feeling you better understood how people lived back then.
Written January 28, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the review, you are always welcome to this house!
Written February 15, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
didreyfus
Panajachel, Guatemala118 contributions
Jul 2017 • Friends
What is more fun than snooping in someone's house??
Dr. Popenoe was a US agronomist, who worked for the dreaded United Fruit improving Alvacado yields. His three wives took various roles in furnishing the house with 16th century portraits, ceramics and renovating the gardens.
There were many double headed eagles in the embroidery and other artifacts prompting us to wonder if he was a Romanoff descendant ...the Docent could not speak to that but she had lots of information on the history of the Popenoes and how the last wife boughtup lots of properties near the home in the 1950's and 60's
Dr. Popenoe was a US agronomist, who worked for the dreaded United Fruit improving Alvacado yields. His three wives took various roles in furnishing the house with 16th century portraits, ceramics and renovating the gardens.
There were many double headed eagles in the embroidery and other artifacts prompting us to wonder if he was a Romanoff descendant ...the Docent could not speak to that but she had lots of information on the history of the Popenoes and how the last wife boughtup lots of properties near the home in the 1950's and 60's
Written August 17, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review, we always love when our visitors leave the house satisfied with it and with us.
Written February 15, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
William B
East Lansing, MI42 contributions
Mar 2017 • Solo
A restored, historical "Casa" (~museo) dating back to the 16th century. It features a colonial home designed around a courtyard/patio with many period furnishings, as well as the remains of an apartment home (re)built in the 20th century -- now used for educational purposes. Very knowledgable tour guide and museum director. In small groups (just 4 of us this morning!) you get a good sense of the history of the home(s) and the life of colonial Antiguans (admittedly upper class), as well as the most famous owner -- F. Wilson Popenoe, whose life story and dedication to developing and marketing new fruits and vegetables is quite fascinating (and the cultural items he and his three wives introduced to Guatemala). And you can touch most of the furniture/display items!
Written March 8, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the review, we always want to give our best in this tours and show visitors a little bit of Antigua's history.
Written March 10, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sybil F
Antigua, Guatemala29 contributions
Jul 2014 • Friends
Nice to see how people lived here once....when this old place was first restored...lovely garden and well worth a visit.
Written May 24, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review at Trip Advisor.
It was nice to have you here. Anyways as a feedback we will like to understad your rating. Why this visit wasn't excelent for you?
What we did wrong? because I can asure you we always want to do the best.
Enjoy the rest of the time here in Guatemala
Loren
Written May 25, 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
maimutzacelmare
South Euclid, OH282 contributions
Mar 2015 • Business
If you have time and are looking for something to do, this is a good way to spend a few hours. They can tell you the history of the property and it is interesting if you have an interest in Antigua history. Not sure children will enjoy it and it is pricey for what you get.
Written March 13, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Claim your listingCasa Popenoe - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Casa Popenoe
- Casa Popenoe is open:
- Mon - Fri 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Sat - Sat 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
- We recommend booking Casa Popenoe tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 1 Casa Popenoe tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Casa Popenoe:
- (0.01 mi) La Union Bed and Breakfast
- (0.02 mi) Cataleya Hostal
- (0.03 mi) El Hostal Bed and Breakfast
- (0.03 mi) Koi Rejuvenece Spa
- (0.03 mi) Split Hostal
- Restaurants near Casa Popenoe:
- (0.01 mi) Frank&Fre
- (0.03 mi) Y tu Pina Tambien
- (0.03 mi) Taqueria El Delirio
- (0.04 mi) Maxán
- (0.04 mi) Cafe Sky
Casa Popenoe Information
Excellent Reviews | 77 |
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Very Good Reviews | 21 |
Casa Popenoe Photos | 158 |