The museum's current 20,000-piece collection includes the throne of the King of Portugal, John VI, and documents the evolution of Rio de Janeiro from 1565 to the mid-20th century.
There are a number of impressive sculptures, nineteenth-century paintings, prints, porcelain dishes and period furniture. In addition to its permanent collection, the museum regularly hosts exhibitions by well-known and highly reputed artists.
Beyond the old summer residence and museum is a chapel dedicated to John the Baptist, built during the 1920s by the then owner, Joăo de Carvalho Macedo, which, until the land was bought by the Guinle family, was used for private masses.
