Opened on March 14, 1877, the José Bonifácio Cultural Center was the first public school in Latin America. Built by order of D. Pedro II for the education of the needy community of the Port Region, it was part of the group of "emperor's schools."

 

Deactivated in 1977, it gave way to the Gamboa Municipal Popular Library.

 

The mansion at Rua Pedro Ernesto 80, in Gamboa, is a reference center for Afro-Brazilian culture.