Twenty minutes from Querétaro, in a rural town located northwest of the city, the first museum in the state dedicated to agriculture has opened its doors. This is the Juan Tlacote Agromuseum, a destination that brings back to life the history of the Querétaro countryside and the haciendas, but also the phenomenon of “miracle water” that, in the 90s, captured the headlines and the attention of thousands of people around the world.
Its facilities occupy the premises of an old 17th century hacienda, where the enormous tanks that stored the water extracted from a well and which was presumed to have healing properties are still preserved. The machine that the then owner, Jesús Chaín Simón, acquired to bottle the water also remains intact.
The phenomenon reached its peak from 1991 to 1993, when the owner of the hacienda announced to the townspeople that two of his animals had been cured with the water from a deep well on his land.
Word spread and people began to arrive from all over Mexico and other countries to ask for a little of the water in the hope of curing all kinds of illnesses, including cancer, epilepsy and AIDS. Thousands waited outside for days to be served during the hours that the welcome sign still has, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
It is said that foreigners and celebrities like José José and basketball player Magic Johnson, who suffered from HIV, came to try the famous water from Tlacote.
Beginning in 1993, the popularity of the healing water began to fade, after it became clear that it was supplied not only from the Hacienda, but from taps on the street and from a small spring that existed, but was not very healthy, and that also began to disappoint people.
This history and more can be explored in depth at the Juan Tlacote Agromuseum, a facility promoted by historian Arturo González de Cosío Frías, which is made up of seven permanent rooms and one temporary room.
Its museography is made up of a collection of objects and tools that were used for agricultural and livestock activities, as well as maps, newspapers, cartographies, photographs and old documents that talk about the origin of the Hacienda de Tlacote El Bajo. This historical review covers from the mid-16th century to the 20th century.
Tours are held on Saturdays starting at 9:00 a.m. -although they can also be booked on other days-, and in guided tour format with a limited capacity of 15 people. Personalized attention is provided to groups of 10 or more people.
The visit lasts approximately two and a half hours, and at the end a food tasting of the region is offered, taking advantage of seasonal foods.
The entrance fee is 400 pesos per person and a 25 percent discount applies to students and INAPAM users. Children under 6 years old can enter without a ticket. To visit the museum, it is necessary to make a reservation through WhatsApp: 442 670 0230.
Source: elsoldemexico
