During the first half of the 19th century, most of the political debate in the
Province of São Pedro do Rio Grande do Sul was concentrated in the press, which circulated opinions usually aligned to one of the parties in vogue in the city of Porto Alegre and in the interior. In the historical field, since the creation of the
Brazilian Historic and Geographic Institute (IHGB) in 1838, there was an interest in expanding the study centers throughout the country in order to incorporate the provinces in the creation of an official narrative of the
Empire's history. Although the IHGRGS would only be created in the 20th century, it was preceded by other attempts to found study centers that would congregate intellectuals in the territory and carry out studies that guided an official narrative for the province.
Historical and Geographic Institute of the Province of São Pedro (IHGPSP) In 1854, there was an attempt to found a similar institution in the Province of São Pedro do Rio Grande do Sul. The
Viscount of Sinimbu, at the time president of the province and member of the IHGB since 1840, was chosen for the board of directors, and
Manuel Marques de Sousa, Count of Porto Alegre, was chosen as vice-president. The IHGPSP, the first regional historic and geographic institute created, was short-lived due to the Viscount's retirement from public office. In 1860, the initiative of creating a provincial branch of the IHGB was renewed. The second version of the IHGPSP was also born linked to the provincial government, and its president at the time,
Joaquim Antão Fernandes Leão, was elected a full member of the institution. This time, with the publication of the journal and a larger body of research associates, the IHGPSP's activities included provincial history studies to be inserted within the national context promoted by the IHGB since the 1840s.
Sociedade Partenon Literário In 1868, the
Sociedade Partenon Literário, a literary organization that emerged at a time of great debate among intellectuals, including the unfolding of the
Paraguayan War and discussions in the
abolitionist movement, was founded in Porto Alegre. Besides promoting intellectual exchanges among scholars in the former Province of São Pedro, such as debates, publications, seminars, and other activities, the
Partenon Literário was one of the first associations to promote a type of regionalism in the province by exalting the figure of the
gaucho farroupilha, which would influence other groups that emerged in the 20th century. The participants of the
Partenon Literário were men with a level of education that stood out from the rest of the population, mostly illiterate, who sought, through this space, for the construction of cultural codes and the creation of a certain ideal of society aligned to progress and modernity. This is expressed in the activities developed by the group, among them the night school, the seminars and, especially, the
Revista Mensal da Sociedade Parthenon Litterario. Due to its progressive character, the magazine debated issues related to the abolition of slavery, women's emancipation in the imperial context, and republicanist agendas. == Members ==