Registro Público de Panamá

This 2nd of February, the Documentary Exhibition "Leonardo Villanueva Meyer, Forerunner of great works of the Panamanian Architecture" opens its doors at the National Archive, completely free and it is intended for the general public.

The documentary exhibition that ends on the 29th of February, will take the visitors in a historic journey, through documents that tell us the steps followed to make real each one of the architectural works that this great figure inherited us and that are still alive.

Leonardo Villanueva Meyer was born in the city of Huaraz, Republic of Peru.  He came to the country at the beginning of the second decade of the 20th century.  Originally, he was hired to be the Chief of the Hall of Architectural and Professor of Trigonometry, Applied Physics, Modeling and Decorative Drawing at the School of Arts and Crafts.

His work in the professional field was of great projections, since the profession of architect, in the strict sense, did not exist in Panama when he engaged in the construction business, he guided his teaching and organizing work to the construction field, instructing master builders and workers, in an environment where the bricklayers and carpenters still ignored the construction technique of reinforced concrete.

Among his main works are the remodelings of the Presidential Palace, the construction of apartment building "La Pollera", design and construction of the National Archive building, the remodeling of the San Francisco de Asis Church, the reconstruction of French Quarter (Plaza de Francia), among others.

Thematic Index:

• The neoclassic style in Panama at the beginning of the 20th century
• Leonardo Villanueva Meyer: his biography
• Contributions to the Panamanian architecture
• Illustrative board

List of documents:

1. Correspondence from Architect Leonardo Villanueva Meyer to Mr. J. M. Fernandez, Assistant Secretary of Development related to the extension of 31st East Street.  7th of January, 1924.
2. Budget sent by Architect Leonardo Villanueva Meyer to the Secretary of Development, Juan  Jimenez for the beginning of the construction of First Avenue of La Exposicion.   18th of January, 1924.
3. Correspondence from Architect Leonardo Villanueva Meyer to the Secretary of Development, Juan A. Jimenez, in which he requests an investigation on the cost of the constructions of the Asilo de la Infancia and of the National Archives.  22nd of January,  1924.
4. Report from the Secretary of Development and Public Works, Juan A. Jimenez, regarding the depletion of the budget item for the construction of Asilo de la Infancia.  15th of February, 1924.
5. List of Painters and Bricklayers that took part in the construction of the National Archives building.  20th of February, 1924.
6. Correspondence from Architect Leonardo Villanueva Meyer to the Secretary of Development, Juan A. Jimenez, on the termination of the work of Asilo de la Infancia.  21st of February,  1924.
7. Correspondence from Architect Leonardo Villanueva Meyer to the Secretary of Development, Juan A. Jimenez, regarding the acquisition of paint for the roof of Asilo de la Infancia.  1st of March,  1924.
8. Correspondence from Architect Leonardo Villanueva Meyer to the Secretary of Development, Juan A. Jimenez, on the works that need to be carried out on the project Asilo de la Infancia.  7th of March,  1924.
9. Correspondence from Architect Leonardo Villanueva Meyer to the Secretary of Development, Juan A. Jimenez related to the need of obtaining an additional credit in order to finish the construction of Asilo de la Infancia.  13th of March,  1924.
10. Report.  The Architect Leonardo Villanueva Meyer prepares a summary of expenses made in the construction of the National Archives building until the 30th of April, 1924.  12th of May, 1924.
11. Letter of recommendation from Architect Leonardo Villanueva Meyer to the Secretary of Development, Juan A. Jimenez, in favor of Mr. Quintin Jaen, who worked as reinforcer at the work of the National Archives building.  11th of June, 1924.
12. Correspondence sent by Architect Leonardo Villanueva Meyer to the Secretary of Development, Mr. Juan A. Jimenez, requesting that a meeting for dealing with the disposition of the surplus materials of the National Archives building.  14th of June, 1924.
13. Correspondence sent by Architect Leonardo Villanueva Meyer to the Secretary of Development, Mr. Juan A. Jimenez, on the delivery of the surplus materials in the construction of the National Archives to Mr. Stockerlberg, Chief of Materials and Purchase.  26th of June, 1924.
14. Mr. Juan A. Jimenez, Secretary of Development, replies to Architect Leonardo Villanueva Meyer on the disposition that will be carried out regarding the surplus materials of the work of the National Archive building.  30th of June, 1924.
15. Correspondence sent by Architect Leonardo Villanueva Meyer to the Secretary of Development, Mr. Juan A. Jimenez notifying that the National Archives building will be finished on the 31st of July, 1924.  22nd of July, 1924.
16. Leonardo Villanueva Meyer informs Mr. Juan A. Jimenez on the non-availability of wood to be used at the workshops of Escuelas para Mujeres.  14th of October, 1924.
17. Architect Leonardo Villanueva Meyer informs the Secretary of Development, Juan A. Jimenez, on the list of carpenters that work in the construction of the National Archive building.  22nd of December, 1923.