The San Miguel de Abona Town Council has received a collection of historical documents and artefacts belonging to the prominent historian, physician, and anthropologist from San Miguel, Juan Bethencourt Alfonso.
The family has donated materials from the late 19th century and early 20th century, which are considered to hold significant historical, academic, and cultural value, with the aim of ensuring their preservation and promoting cultural dissemination.
Mayor Arturo González stated that it is an “honour for the municipality to receive the valuable legacy of a pivotal figure in the history and culture of San Miguel, Canary Islands, and the world.” He added that the donation not only enriches local heritage but also “helps preserve the collective memory of our land.”
Meanwhile, the Councillor for Historical Heritage Management, Pilar Méndez, emphasised that this legacy will not only be preserved but also “will play a central role in the exhibitions organised by the Town Council and, particularly, in the upcoming project for the Casa Museo de D. Juan Bethencourt Alfonso.”
The valuable collection of historical materials associated with D. Juan Bethencourt Alfonso includes ethnographic, anthropological, and archaeological studies; an original project for a telephone layout with budget and plans for the family estates in southern Tenerife; an original framed portrait from the late 19th century; the academic title of Licentiate in Medicine from the University of Madrid; an official manuscript of the Treaty on Viticulture for the Guayero estate in Vilaflor; various family heritage and taxation documents from the Bethencourt-Medina family; agricultural notebooks and reference books on farming; as well as personal letters, social correspondence, and socio-cultural interest letters, several of which were written in the 19th century.
With the recent acquisition, in September 2024, of the house where D. Juan Bethencourt Alfonso lived, the Town Council reaffirms its commitment to protecting and enhancing its historical heritage. This effort has been recognised by the Cabildo of Tenerife, positioning San Miguel de Abona as the municipality that best preserves its heritage across the entire island.
