Army and Air Force Museum

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Mexico’s National Army and Air Force Museum (MUEFA) is run by the Ministry of National Defense. Often called the Tlalpan Army & Air Force Museum, it’s technically in Coyoacán, but named for the Calzada de Tlalpan, which is just out front.

MUEFA is also, significantly, just across the valley from the Museum of the Interventions, which commemorates the Battle of Churubusco (among other things). So the location of this institution is also important. It’s quite literally on the Churubusco battlefield. The Army and Air Force also run the Bethlemitas branch of the same institution. That smaller museum is in the City Center.

This museum was opened in 2010 as part of the Bicentennial of the beginning of the Independence movement, and the Centennial of the beginning of the Mexican Revolution. The building dates from 1906 when it was a power substation for the Mexico City tramway network. As is well known, the Calzada de Tlalpan was an important tramway until 1970. In that year, the building was converted to a warehouse.

Entirely in 1990, it was later remodeled to house the Museo Cultural de las Artes Gráficas. In May of 2010 the Ministry of National Defense began reconditioning the space for its own historical exhibitions.

Today, the Museum of the Army and Air Force is chiefly of interest to military buffs. But international visitors often find their own knowledge of the history of the Mexican Republic to be staggeringly incomplete. This museum, along with other history and military museums in Mexico City is an easy and enjoyable way to quickly catch up.

Nearby

The museum is within easy walking distance of several other attractions. Among them are the Masahoshi Ohara park, and the National Center for the Arts. The museum is also within easy walking distance of Metro General Anaya on Metro Line 2.