This document summarizes information about the Museo Casa Alonso historic site located in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico. It provides details about the site's architecture, blending Spanish colonial, neoclassical, and criollo styles. The document also gives the property's history, originally built in the mid-19th century and owned by wealthy sugar families. It recommends listing the site on the National Register of Historic Places due to its unique architectural blending and intact integrity.

1. Museo Casa Alonso
Alonso House
Vega Baja, Puerto Rico

2. Examination of the Site

3. Location
■ Museo Casa Alonso is located in Vega Baja,
Puerto Rico, along the north coast, about 20
minutes from the capital city of San Juan.
■ It sits on two lots totaling less than one acre of
property about a block away from the central
town plaza, making its location rather urban.
■ This home has been characterized as the
largest in the town.

4. Architecture
■ Casa Alonso is considered to be a great
example of neoclassical vernacular
architecture in the island. In addition,
it is unique in that it blends
components of Spanish colonial
architecture and criollo architecture.

5. Elements of Classical Architecture
■ Pianterreno and piano nobile
plan- feature of Classical
architecture that features a
pianterreno (ground floor),
with few decorative elements,
and a piano nobile above,
which was much more
elgantly decorated and
functioned as the main living
and gathering area for the
family.
■ En enfilade rooms- Rooms
whose doorways are
connected through a single
axis.

6. Elements of Spanish Colonial
Architecture
■ Roof construction-
Ausubo beams,
alfarjías, flat bricks
■ Zaguán- room similar
to a vestibule,
characteristic of
Spanish Colonial
Architecture

7. Elements of Criollo Architecture
■ Martillo- an architectural feature typical of Puerto Rico that consists of a
protuberance towards the back of the main structure, giving it an “L”
shape. Usually, this extension would include the kitchen and servants’
quarters in close proximity to the back patio.
■ Enclosed patio
■ Living spaces which doubled as galleries
■ Window treatments designed for climate control

8. Elements of Criollo Architecture

9. Elements of Criollo Architecture

10. Materials
■ Foundation- rubble masonry
■ Walls- wood/stucco/masonry
■ Cast iron gates and ceilings
■ Ceiling- wood and brick

11. History of the Site

12. History of Vega Baja
■ Vega Baja was founded in 1776 by don
Antonio Viera.
■ During the 19th century, Puerto Rico
experienced an economic boom in the sugar
industry.This greatly impacted Vega Baja, as
it was primarily an agricultural town.
■ By 1862,Vega Baja was classified as the
highest-ranking town in terms of civil life, as
the fertile land and booming economy
attracted wealthier residents.
■ Today,Vega Baja is lauded for its fertile lands,
flowing rivers, and plentiful natural reserves.

13. History of Ownership
■ Casa Alonso was built in the mid-19th century
and was owned successively by three affluent
families: the Soliveras, the Oteros, and the
Alonsos (1912-1974), of sugar plantation wealth.
■ However, the foundations of the home date
back to the founding of the town in 1776.
■ It was abandoned in 1974, purchased in 1982 by
the town, and subsequently restored to its
original 1850 state.
■ Today, the home retains its full integrity.
Ramón Alonso, last owner of
Casa Alonso

14. Which National Register
criteria does this property
fit?

15. Criterion C
■ Design/Construction," concerns the distinctive characteristics of the building by its
architecture and construction, including having great artistic value or being the work
of a master.
■ Due to the fact that this property blends characteristics of three distinct
architectural styles and that its integrity has not been compromised, it is
eligible to be included on the National Register of Historic Places under
criterion C.

16. Recommendations/Conclusions
■ Upon examination of the site and property it is my recommendation that it be
listed on the National Register of Historic Places.This property presents a
unique blend of three architectural styles that all had an impact on Puerto
Rican architecture– Spanish colonial, neoclassical, and criollo. During the
economic boom of the 19th century, this home exemplified the lifestyle of the
bourgeois, and presents, in addition, a snapshot into the life of the Vega Baja
elite.

17. Sources:
■ http://www.vegabaja.gov.pr/museo-casa-alonso/
■ http://www.vegabaja.gov.pr/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Folleto-Oficial-
Informativo-Vega-Baja-2013.pdf
■ https://npgallery.nps.gov/pdfhost/docs/NRHP/Text/96001491.pdf
■ http://places.eyetour.com/whatToSee/vega-baja/173/museo-casa-alonso
■ https://www.scribd.com/doc/85477755/La-arquitectura-de-Ponce-Puerto-Rico-y-
sus-elementos