Instituto Ponte Nova, Historical good listed by the Bahia Artistic and Cultural Heritage Institute in the city of Wagner
Instituto Ponte Nova is a historic school and educational institution in Wagner, founded in 1906 by American Presbyterian missionaries and now over 115 years old. The campus contains original buildings including classrooms, an auditorium, and dormitories that remain standing today and reflect the place's role as a regional learning center.
The school was founded in 1906 when American Presbyterian missionaries led by Dr. Walter Welcome Wood purchased land near the Rio Cachoeirinha and built the school there. It became the main educational center for the inland region of Bahia until the missionaries departed in the early 1970s, after which the school's operations changed significantly.
The school is viewed by the community as a place where people come together to learn and grow, serving as a cornerstone of local identity. It represents the role that education has played in bringing families to this region and shaping how people see themselves.
The campus is accessible on foot and the old buildings are visible from outside, though you should check beforehand if visits are permitted. The best time to visit is during daylight hours so you can see the structures and surroundings clearly.
The school was originally called Escola Americana Ponte Nova and became a magnet for students from across the Chapada Diamantina region after its founding. The town itself was eventually named after Franz Wagner, a German man who had helped local residents during a severe drought around 1890.
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