located in the bohemian and free-spirited botafogo neighborhood, the old nineteenth century building was originally the home of an entrepreneur, but transformed into the current museum, in 1978.

the museum houses a huge collection of various materials, which includes over 30,000 artifacts, papers and books, with over half a million historical documents on indigenous brazilian tribes.

in addition to the materials that are housed in the building, the museum hosts many temporary, and short-term exhibitions, which are renowned for their innovation and creativity.