to manage the chapel in the replica of the Old Caxias in the Grape Festival Park, and collaborated in the revitalization project of the set of buildings. In 1998, the Casa de Pedra was restored, and in the same year, due to the many structural problems in the main building, an in-depth renovation was carried out, with the replacement of the electrical network, modernization of the kitchen, replacement of the plumbing and sanitary installations, revision of all woodwork and the roofs, replacement of glass, curtains, carpets and general painting. The construction of a new annex at the back of the building made it possible to create a larger technical reserve and to gather in one space all the collection that was scattered in several places and was deteriorating due to poor storage conditions. It also made room for the reorganization of the exhibition rooms and the creation of essential services such as a workshop, video room, library, restoration laboratory, and support rooms. The building, which is one of the oldest in the city, was declared a City Heritage Site on November 28, 2001. The museum's activities and programs have had a positive impact in increasing the population's awareness of historical and heritage issues, although this awareness is not yet well consolidated or widespread, and is a field in which much remains to be done. Many projects suffer from a chronic lack of funds and a lack of continuity in successive changes of administration. The Collection The rich collection of the Municipal Museum has great importance for the history of the Italian colonial region and for the history of Caxias do Sul. It has more than 12,000 pieces that illustrate the previous indigenous occupation of the territory, immigration, the initial possession and cultivation of the land, and the developments and changes in the main activities and professions that occurred in the area of Caxias do Sul during the urbanization process. The collection includes indigenous artifacts; travel gear; machinery and tools used in agricultural activities; iron, glass, chinaware, and copper objects used in kitchens and workshops; furniture, shoes, and clothing; technical and musical instruments and accessories for personal use; pieces of sacred art, and, finally, objects derived from service, commerce, leisure, culture, and toys. Among the most interesting individual pieces are a rustic bean sifting machine; a full-walled cupboard with numerous bottles of medicine and pharmaceutical objects, which belonged to a former