A museum in the lyceum: from the opening of the commercial course to the formation of the commercial Museum of the Lyceum of Arts, Crafts, and Commerce (São Paulo, 1924)

Abstract

Situated within the context of the city’s industrialization and modernization, the Commercial Courses of the Lyceum of Arts, Trades, and Commerce were established in 1895 to meet the growing demand for qualified professionals in commerce and administration. Their pedagogical approach distinguished itself by emphasizing practice, integrating concrete experiences through workshops, exhibitions, and, above all, the Commercial Museum, founded in 1924. Inspired by world fairs and industrial exhibitions, the museum functioned as an innovative pedagogical space, bringing together didactic collections, samples of products, minerals, fabrics, and diverse materials, all articulated through a modern exhibition language. The initiative of Director Fr. Luiz Marcigaglia sought to engage students, families, and the broader community, shaping the museum as a kind of “industrial cartography” that reflected São Paulo’s progress. The article also contextualizes the educational efforts of the Salesian priests since Don Bosco, who, in the nineteenth century, proposed a model of education that integrated technical training, moral values, and preparation for work. In Brazil, the Lyceum consolidated this proposal by participating in national and international exhibitions, where it received recognition and awards. The Commercial Museum, later expanded and transformed into the Museum of Natural History, underwent several renovations and modernizations, becoming a central space of pedagogical support. Its collections, assembled collaboratively, expressed not only scientific and educational values but also the institution’s identity. In this way, the article highlights the museum’s role as a formative and innovative tool in commercial and technical-professional education of the period.