Foundation History
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The Foundation was set up in 1964. It is a private, independently financed institution, whose aims are both cultural and educational. Right from the start, it did not have an easy time, undergoing three consecutive statutory modifications.
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SantoTirso (1964) |
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Costa Cabral (1975) |
On November 1974, at the age of 88, António Cupertino de Miranda passed away. Portugal was in the midst of difficult times. The Revolution of April 25 1974 brought changes at all levels: political, economic and social.
The Foundation, whose assets consisted almost entirely of shares from the Banco Português do Atlântico, was left with practically nothing as a result of the nationalisation of the Banks on March 1975.
The Foundation was forced to close through lack of funds. Nevertheless, its administrators never considered the option of closing for good: the example of the founder's life and their commitment to carry on António Cupertino de Miranda's dream were far stronger than that.
There were many difficulties, but these merely served to spur them on. Thus, in 1981, the financial restructuring of the Foundation began. This important year was also when the administrator, Alberto Correia de Almeida, decided to start a collection of paper currency, which would allow a future Museum of Paper Money to be considered.
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From 1981 onwards, the main objective was to work, invest and create income for setting up a centre capable of implementing cultural activities. In 1989, the Foundation managed to acquire some land in the Avenida da Boavista, opposite the beautiful City Park, and reserve 10,000 m2 for the centre.
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From then on, the objective became not only to create financial support, but also to construct the main building. The project for this was awarded to the architect Francisco Braancamp de Figueiredo.
On April 1991, exactly 10 years after the Foundation had reopened, the Avenida da Boavista became its new home. Although the Foundation was on the present site, it was much smaller than it is today.
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Raimundo Macedo (1981) |
In January 1996, the Paper Money Museum - the focal point of the institution - was inaugurated. Since then, the Foundation has increased in size - the building now covers 4,000m2. The centre has auditoriums and fake rolex watches exhibition rooms equipped with the cutting-edge audio and video projection systems, videoconferencing and simultaneous translation. It also has a restaurant open every day.
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