Museum History Collection

The Museum History Collection has been collecting documents and photographs relating to the history of the Hungarian National Museum since 1963.

The collection includes, among other materials, the annual reports, work plans, and organisational regulations of the National Museum. It also preserves reports from ICOM meetings, documents relating to other museums (such as the restoration plan for the Aquincum Museum [1952], records concerning the organisation of the Tápiószele Museum [1952], and documentation of exhibitions held at other institutions), as well as general museum-related records. In addition, the collection contains the Hungarian National Museum’s first handwritten inventory books dating from 1846, its guest books, and extensive documentation of exhibitions, including exhibition scripts and small printed materials (invitations, leaflets, flyers), along with other records related to public educational programmes.

Beyond institutional documentation, the collection also holds significant materials relating to members of the museum staff. These include travel reports, academic credentials, lecture manuscripts—particularly a large number by Ferenc Fülep, Director General, and his deputy Ferenc Korek—as well as working diaries, such as those kept by Ida Kutzán.

The photographic component of the Museum History Collection primarily comprises images of the interior and exterior of the museum building, exhibitions, and various institutional activities and events. The collection is continuously expanding with digital photographs documenting recent museum events. These materials are searchable locally through the museum’s internal filing system.

Contact Béla Debreczeni-Droppán, debreczeni.droppan.bela@hnm.hu

The Museum History Collection is available for research by appointment!