Muzeum in Olsztynek

When Marian Juszczynski, the director of the Museum of Folk Architecture in Olsztynek began his work in 2007, it was a traditional, typical museum, the concept of past years.

- This kind of museums was everywhere back then - he says. – In 2008 we started the extension of our program. The beginning was to fully renovate all 26 interior houses of the museum. In almost every farm gardens were restored, we brought animals and birds. The “old” village began to revive. In the tourist season, there was virtually no weekend without ethnographic, musical event with presentation of craft, art or cuisine.

We show the landscape of the region in the richer dimensions: the architectural heritage and agriculture. The new spectrum is also about history: burial mounds, the culture of the Prussians in the educational program "Amalang settlement”, the period of Middle Ages with Teutonic tower. We just released a calendar to promote the gothic architecture, hidden in the villages of the region; we support the music band Hoboud in their search for the local folklore. We cooperate with the University of Warmia and Mazury, University of Gdansk, different associations.

Attendance in 2006 amounted to 67 thousands; in 2009 to almost 87 thousand of visitors. The educational activities of 1 thousand children in the museum classes in 2006 came to 3 thousands in 2009. Own revenues have increased since 2006, with nearly 55 percent. At that time considerable tax arrears from earlier years were finally paid off.

Regional strategy for culture is being realised above what we have planned - considers the museum director. - Not without a reason in 2008 and 2009 we received tokens of major national recognition: the title of the registered museum and nationwide "Oscar" i.e. Kolberg prize for promoting folk culture. This year, we have submitted projects to the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage worth 2 million zl.

The open-air museum in Olsztynek in figures: