The historic Aguinaldo home in Kawit, Cavite, where the Proclamation of Philippine Independence was signed on June 12, 1898, was designated a national shrine in June 1964, not long after General Emilio Aguinaldo passed away. A fitting final act and, it seems, the great finish for the man who played such an important part in the history of his country, the General bequeathed the house and a portion of its grounds to the Philippine government a year before he passed away. The grave of General Emilio Aguinaldo, who passed away on February 6, 1964, from coronary thrombosis, is located behind the mansion. 

The Philippine Declaration of Independence from Spain was announced on June 12, 1898, at the Aguinaldo Shrine and Museum in Kawit, Cavite, Philippines. The Philippine flag is raised here on June 12 each year to commemorate the occasion, which is now recognized as a national holiday known as Araw ng Kalayaan, or Independence Day. A museum presently occupies the home. The shrine is where Emilio Aguinaldo, the sole leader of the First Philippine Republic and the country's current president, was born. The home, which was constructed in 1845 using wood and thatch, was destroyed in 1849. Here, Aguinaldo was born on March 22, 1869. Aguinaldo built his own mansion, which has a floor area of more than 14,000 square feet. There are secret passages and hiding spots for documents and weapons throughout the mansion, which is crammed with antique furniture and decorated throughout with Philippine and other national flag patterns. The main house is on the west side of the building, the family wing is on the east, and the tower is in the middle. The structure of the mansion consists of these:

The mezzanine level on the second floor is sometimes considered a separate floor. Originally, the ground level of the house had no walls, as was customary in Spanish Colonial architecture. It presently functions as a museum housing artifacts from the past and souvenirs associated with Aguinaldo. A hologram of Aguinaldo from the evening of June 12, 1898, is on display in one of the exhibits.

On the second floor is the great hall, a significant gathering place with a notable front window where the Declaration of Independence was proclaimed. The front Independence balcony was added by Aguinaldo during the 1919 renovations.

The dining room is on the same floor and has a raised-relief map of the Philippines prominently displayed on the ceiling. This floor also houses Aguinaldo's bedroom, the kitchen, a conference room, and a patio that is partially covered. On the east wing are three bedrooms for the three daughters of the general. Aguinaldo gave the name Galeria de Los Pecadores (Hall of the Sinners) to a covered balcony (azotea) at the end of the wing as military plots against the Spanish were in progress.

Aguinaldo's other sleeping space, used in his later years, is on the upper floor. You can also find a tiled terrace with a commanding view of the town that extends as far as Manila. After climbing a small ladder, reach the summit of the tower, which was supposedly Aguinaldo's favorite. Ascend a flight of steps to reach the Ambassador Room, which Ambassador Jose Melencio, the general's son-in-law, uses as a study. 

The Emilio Aguinaldo place of residence has a number of amenities that provide guests access to information, entertainment, and leisure. Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine contains:

Aguinaldo Park – Aguinaldo Park, a park constructed in front of the palace for the 1998 Philippine Centennial celebrations, was added to the riverbank property, expanding its size. The park features a long promenade and two sizable ponds. The street in front of the home used to be bustling. The park also has a bronze statue of Aguinaldo mounted on a horse.

Green Garden – The grounds of the home are surrounded by rich greenery and bordered to the south and east by a river and a fish pond, respectively. Outside the house sits a 1924 Packard limousine that belonged to Aguinaldo and was restored in November 2009. Behind the palace, in the middle of the garden, is a marble monument where the first president is interred. 

Museum – The National Historical Commission of the Philippines maintains the Aguinaldo Shrine Museum on the ground level.