naugurated on February 27, 1961, the headquarters of the Villa-Lobos Museum was lodged on the 9th floor of the Gustavo Capanema Palace (also known as the Palace of Culture). In 1986, the Museum moved to a 19th century mansion, named a historic landmark in 1982 by the National Historical and Artistic Heritage Institute, in the Botafogo district.

The current layout of the exhibit space includes 3 rooms, all multi-use, which house the permanent exhibit and temporary exhibitions, video showings, educational concerts and small recitals. The technical structure also includes a library open to the public and three technical storage areas.

The grounds have gardens with an acoustic shell that permit outside events to be held.