Who was Oscar Efren Reyes?
(1896-1966)
Historian, journalist and teacher born in Baños de Agua Santa, who rendered invaluable services to his country through research, publication of books, opinion articles in the press and teaching in schools and universities.
His historical publications: History of the Republic, Brief History of Ecuador, Brief General History of Ecuador, General History of America, Animated History of Ecuador, Baños del Tungurahua from its origins to the Cabildo, The last seven years. Biographical works: Life of Juan Montalvo, Life and work of Manuel J Calle, as well as booklets for free educational distribution such as “History and Geography of the Ecuadorian East” in collaboration with Professor Francisco Terán.
Collaboration with research and literary direction in: General History of America by Ricardo Levene, Argentina, Encyclopedia Britannica, The Province of Tungurahua in 1928, respectively.
Throughout his sixty years of life, he wrote historical, pedagogical and opinion articles in newspapers: El Guante, El Universo de Guayaquil, La Prensa, El Comercio and El Día in Quito and other newspapers and magazines in Latin America.
He was founding Rector of the Montufar National School, Rector and professor at the Mejía National School.
Professor at the National Bolivar School in Ambato, and Juan Montalvo School in Quito.
Professor of the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters of the Central University of Ecuador.
Honorary member of the Academies of History of Chile, Argentina, Mexico and Ecuador.
Corresponding member of the National Academy of History of Ecuador.
Active member of cultural societies, among others: The Ecuadorian Athenaeum. The America Group.
His life has been the subject of opinions of several intellectuals of the twentieth century who appreciated his work and knew his whole personality, one of them affirms what constituted the ethical orientation of all his work, quoting him in a phrase of his: “tell the truth and tell it whole”.
The Oscar Efren Reyes Foundation main house
The history of the Foundation’s headquarters is linked to the historian’s personal life. Oscar Efrén Reyes acquired the house from a relative in the early sixties. Since then, after retiring from his working life at the Central University and the rectorship of the Mejia School, he returned to his beloved birthplace: Baños de Agua Santa. He lived there with his wife Clara for a few years until his death in 1966.
Upon his death, his heirs, by common agreement, decided that the house would become the property of Francisca Reyes Torres, youngest daughter of the historian and teacher, who in turn, donated it in her will to the foundation that bears the name of Oscar Efrén Reyes and thus perpetuate the memory of the illustrious Ecuadorian.
In early 2013, the house was declared a heritage property by the INPC.
Headquarter house 
Biographic room 
Biographic room 
Biographic room 
History of the Oscar Efren Reyes Foundation
The Oscar Efrén Reyes Foundation was born as an initiative of the historian’s daughter: MGS. Francisca Reyes Torres, who in her will stipulated its conformation and headquarters in the house that once belonged to Oscar Efrén Reyes in Baños de Agua Santa.
Oscar Efrén Reyes opens the doors of this virtual house so that his dream of testimony of a people with historical identity, ancestral culture and abundant nature can be spread throughout Ecuador and the world.
The house he lived in during his last years is now the headquarters of the foundation that bears his name.
There you can visit the biographical room, use the auditorium, look at the garden with the tree planted by the historian fifty years ago and a sober lodging for those who want to join as volunteers in this important work.
On January 10, 2000, it obtained the legal approval by the Ministry of Social Inclusion through the agreement Nº 534, and began its activity with cultural programs with the subscription of 33 founding members.
