Abstract:
The Grupo Escolar Quintino Bocaiúva building, first called Grupo Escolar Cachoeiras,
was built in the early 20th century, at the same time that many others in Rio de Janeiro state.
The educational model implemented in the school groups, which was based on the positivist
ideals of the newly created republic in Brazil, is reflected on the monumentality of the spaces
built for its operation. Popularly called Old Quintino, the mentioned building brought many
transformations to Cachoeiras de Macacu and today it holds memories that are valuable to
many residents. The school functioned in that building until the 1960‟s and then gave place to
other activities until its closure and abandonment in 2011. As a statement of the importance of
its preservation, this work shows the results of an extensive survey based on primary sources
about past events connected to the building. It also presents a history of the Municipal Culture
System of Cachoeiras de Macacu, its characteristics and its development in the area of
heritage and memory, which gave rise, in 2018, to a movement for the restoration of the
building. Finally a proposal for the occupation of the Old Quintino is presented – based on the
needs of the Macacuan cultural sector identified through the Municipal Culture System – the
creation of a center of memories.
