Museo de Arte e Historia de San Juan (150 Calle Norzagaray, Old San Juan, 787/724-1875, Wed.–Fri. 9 a.m.–noon and 1–4 p.m., Sat.–Sun. 10 a.m.–4 p.m., free) is in the city’s former marketplace, built in 1857. In 1979 it was converted into a city museum. It contains two exhibition spaces, one housing temporary exhibits illuminating various aspects of the city’s history, the other a permanent exhibition that gives a comprehensive look at the city’s history from its geographical roots to the 21st century.
Superbly produced wall graphics and text include reproductions of old photographs, maps, prints, and paintings that tell the city’s story. All the exhibits are in Spanish, but a photocopied handout in English encapsulates the exhibition highlights.