Ciudad Colonial in Santo Domingo, Distrito Nacional, Dominican Republic — Caribbean Region of the Americas (Hispaniola, Greater Antilles, West Indies)
History of the Dominican Society of the Bibliophiles’ House
Sociedad Dominicana de Bibliófilos, Inc.
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, March 10, 2018
1. History of the Dominican Society of the Bibliophiles’ House Marker
Fue esta una de las dos “amplias casas” que “poseyó en esta ciudad de Santo Domingo el veedor Gaspar de Astudillo, quien en su día fuera honrado por el monarca Carlos I de España con el cargo de regidor perpetuo del Ayuntamiento de nuestra urbe, a pesar de la enconada oposición que a ese nombramiento hizo siempre la corporación municipal santodominguense”, según la afirmación de Fray Vicente Rubio, O.P.
Gaspar de Astudillo nació en Burgos, España, hacia 1485 y se trasladó a Santo Domingo en 1509, formando parte del séquito del Almirante don Diego Colón. Ostentó los cargos públicos de regidor del Ayuntamiento, elevado más tarde a perpetuidad, y veedor de las fundiciones de oro y plata.
Astudillo estuvo casado
this page online
Para el año 1977 la referida casa le fue cedida a la Sociedad Dominicana de Bibliófos por el Gobierno Dominicano, en una muestra de apoyo y de confianza a la gestión de la misma a favor de la cultura histórica y literaria del pueblo dominicano. Se iniciaron en ese mismo año los trabajos de restauración de la vetusta casa, y la Sociedad Dominicana de Bibliófolos la ocupa desde el 23 de 1978.
This was one of the two “large houses” that “were possessed in this city of Santo Domingo by overseer Gaspar de Astudillo, who in his day
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, March 10, 2018
2. History of the Dominican Society of the Bibliophiles’ House additional informational marker
This additional marker to the right of the entryway describes the purpose and activities of the Society of Bibliophiles.
Gaspar de Astudillo was born in Burgos, Spain around 1485 and came to Santo Domingo in 1509 as part of the entourage of Admiral Don Diego Colón. He held the public office of alderman of the City Hall, later designated to perpetuity, and overseer of gold and silver foundries.
Astudillo was married to Catalina de Venegas, lady of Doña María de Toledo, and after being widowed he married "another woman from Castille" María de Fuentes. After the death of Astudillo, on April 27, 1553, the latter donated in her name and that of her late husband, their assets - four pairs of houses, two plots and other lands – to the Cathedral of Santo Domingo, under whose floor their remains lie.
In 1977 the house was donated to the Dominican Society of Bibliophiles by the Dominican government in show of the support and confidence in its management in favor of the historical and literary culture of the Dominican people. That same year, the restoration works began in the old house, and the Dominican Society of Bibliophiles occupies it since April 23, 1978.
Erected by Sociedad
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, March 10, 2018
3. The Dominican Society of the Bibliophiles’ House dedication stone
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Civil Rights. A significant historical date for this entry is April 27, 1553.
Location. 18° 28.416′ N, 69° 52.962′ W. Marker is in Ciudad Colonial, Distrito Nacional, in Santo Domingo. Marker is on Calle Las Damas just north of Calle Alfau, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ciudad Colonial, Distrito Nacional 10210, Dominican Republic. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Bastidas House (a few steps from this marker); House of the Lions (a few steps from this marker); The Academy of Sciences Building of the Dominican Republic (within shouting distance of this marker); Calle de las Damas (within shouting distance of this marker); The Fortress of Santo Domingo (within shouting distance of this marker); Diego Caballero House (within shouting distance of this marker); Las Damas Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Gonzálo Fernández de Oviedo (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ciudad Colonial.
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, March 10, 2018
4. History of the Dominican Society of the Bibliophiles’ House Marker
The marker is to the left of the main entrance to the building.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 28, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 30, 2018, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. This page has been viewed 344 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 30, 2018, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana.
