It was built in the late eighteenth century by philanthropist Don Francisco Miguel Gonzalez, to establish the first prison in the Congregation of Our Lady of Sorrows. On the historic Sunday morning of September 16, 1810, after giving the “Cry of Independence” (Grito de Independencia) in front of the parish of Dolores, Don Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla went to jail, took the keys from Mayor Feliciano and freed the prisoners who were there, inviting them to join the libertarian cause. In 1960, to mark the sesquicentennial of the libertarian movement, it was converted into a Museum of Handicrafts and inaugurated by Mr. Adolfo Lopez Mateos, President of Mexico. Later, to commemorate 175 years of our heroic epic, it became the Museum of Independence.

It consists of seven rooms: Room 1 "Free the Prisoners": This area shows the release of prisoners by Father Miguel Hidalgo in the early morning of September 16, 1810, in the background of the sculptural group is the mural "La Conquista" of José Luis Soto. Room 2 "Background and Precursors of Independence": In this space, it recounts the discovery of the Americas, the conquest, the mixture of races, development of the Creoles, the State of New Spain from 1524 to 1770 and the young Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla.  Room 3 "Heroic Epic" The visitor will notice in this place the different trades that influenced the parish priest Don Miguel Hidalgo in the City of Dolores Hidalgo through the implementation of workshops, meetings with the conspirators and the events that triggered the beginning of the struggle for independence with the "Cry". Room 4 "Battle of Granaditas and Abolition of Slavery": The army of insurgents, after leaving Dolores, went through different towns where they were joined by more people in San Miguel and Celaya encountered resistance and it is in Guanajuato where they had the first major battle against the royalist army at the Alhóndiga de Granaditas. Room 5 "Hidalgo Trial": This displays the manifesto of the founding father of the court against the edict of the Court of the Faith. The murals represent passages of the manifesto and the sacrifice of Don Miguel Hidalgo. Room 6 "Consummation of Independence": In the final stage of Independence attended by different characters such as Morelos, the Galeana brothers, Vicente Guerrero, López Rayón, and Iturbide. 

It exhibits the impressive idealization of a free and sovereign Mexican Homeland. Room 7 "Patriotic Symbols": Space which promotes awareness and respect for the national symbols, historical origins, development and meaning of the Constitution, the Coat of Arms, Flag and National Anthem. SERVICES: Guided tours, film series, exhibitions, conferences, concerts and various activities at the Guanajuato Auditorium.