Temporary
Big and Small Stories. How the Polish History Museum’s Collection Was Built
Key information
01. When?
From:
29/09/2023
To:
03/03/2024
03. Curator of the exhibition
Monika Matwiejczuk, Konrad Morawski, Konrad Pyzel, Rafał Waszczuk, Monika Żebrowska
04. Ticket prices
02.10-11.11.2023 CENA 1 zł
Exhibition for the opening
What can be included in the collections of the Polish History Museum? How to show the history of a state and a nation spanning more than a thousand years in order to tell the story of what was most important and groundbreaking in it, yet without losing all the seemingly minor events and personal stories that complement the grand narratives with the memory and emotions of individuals or local communities?
Over the 17 years of the Polish History Museum’s existence, we have answered these questions by acquiring objects for our collection from many different sources. We have bought them at art auctions, in antique shops and from private collectors; we have received personal and family memorabilia from donors; and we have collaborated with numerous partners: state institutions, museums, heritage conservators, libraries, archives, foundations, associations and schools.
The exhibition enjoys the honorary patronage of the Minister of Culture and National Heritage prof. Piotr Gliński.
Over the 17 years of the Polish History Museum’s existence, we have answered these questions by acquiring objects for our collection from many different sources. We have bought them at art auctions, in antique shops and from private collectors; we have received personal and family memorabilia from donors; and we have collaborated with numerous partners: state institutions, museums, heritage conservators, libraries, archives, foundations, associations and schools.
The exhibition enjoys the honorary patronage of the Minister of Culture and National Heritage prof. Piotr Gliński.
Panorama of Polish history
At the exhibition we present a selection of several hundred objects out of the nearly 60,000 present in our collections. We hope that they form a panorama of Polish history, drawing its various contexts - political, civilisational and cultural - and referring not only to our knowledge, but equally to our memories and emotions. They include works of art and craftsmanship, monuments of key importance for the history of Poland and the Polish people, but also seemingly ordinary objects that often witnessed the dramatic vicissitudes of their owners’ lives.
Gallery
Concept of the exhibition
Robert Kostro
Director of the Polish History Museum in Warsaw
Curators
Monika Matwiejczuk, Konrad Morawski, Konrad Pyzel, Rafał Waszczuk, Monika Żebrowska
Textual content
Piotr Gucwa, Robert Kostro, Monika Matwiejczuk, Konrad Morawski, Krzysztof Niewiadomski, Konrad Pyzel, Rafał Waszczuk, Monika Żebrowska
Specialist content proofreading
Robert Kostro
Exhibition design
WWAA: Małgorzata Bylica, Krzysztof Jakubów, Alina Markovska, Marcin Mostafa, Natalia Paszkowska, Marta Szadokierska, Dorota Wilczyńska
Graphic designs
Maciej Chodziński, Katarzyna Łygońska
Multimedia
Paweł Przybył
Exhibition coordination
Agnieszka Celeda, Aleksandra Rodziewicz
Conservation coordination
Aleksandra Wróbel
Proofreading of Polish-language textual content
Miłosz Niewierowicz
Translation and editing of English version
Stuart Dowell, Anna Kalinowska
Interviews for the exhibition
Urszula Urzędowska
Cooperation in organising the exhibition
Justyna Hanula, Joanna Kilian-Sztama, Kinga Klimkiewicz, Piotr Kołaciński, Wojciech Komorowski, Katarzyna Minchberg, Anna Piekarska, Michał Pietranik, Ewa Proniewicka, Adam Rębacz, Grzegorz Rogowski, Gabriela Sierocińska-Dec, Anna Smolińska, Agnieszka Sowińska, Piotr Tomczyk, Mariusz Walczak, Łukasz Wojciechowski, Albina Zięba
Co-financed by The Ministry Of Culture And National Heritage
Media Patrons
Telewizja Polska, Polskie Radio, Portal Dzieje.pl
Robert Kostro
Director of the Polish History Museum in Warsaw
Curators
Monika Matwiejczuk, Konrad Morawski, Konrad Pyzel, Rafał Waszczuk, Monika Żebrowska
Textual content
Piotr Gucwa, Robert Kostro, Monika Matwiejczuk, Konrad Morawski, Krzysztof Niewiadomski, Konrad Pyzel, Rafał Waszczuk, Monika Żebrowska
Specialist content proofreading
Robert Kostro
Exhibition design
WWAA: Małgorzata Bylica, Krzysztof Jakubów, Alina Markovska, Marcin Mostafa, Natalia Paszkowska, Marta Szadokierska, Dorota Wilczyńska
Graphic designs
Maciej Chodziński, Katarzyna Łygońska
Multimedia
Paweł Przybył
Exhibition coordination
Agnieszka Celeda, Aleksandra Rodziewicz
Conservation coordination
Aleksandra Wróbel
Proofreading of Polish-language textual content
Miłosz Niewierowicz
Translation and editing of English version
Stuart Dowell, Anna Kalinowska
Interviews for the exhibition
Urszula Urzędowska
Cooperation in organising the exhibition
Justyna Hanula, Joanna Kilian-Sztama, Kinga Klimkiewicz, Piotr Kołaciński, Wojciech Komorowski, Katarzyna Minchberg, Anna Piekarska, Michał Pietranik, Ewa Proniewicka, Adam Rębacz, Grzegorz Rogowski, Gabriela Sierocińska-Dec, Anna Smolińska, Agnieszka Sowińska, Piotr Tomczyk, Mariusz Walczak, Łukasz Wojciechowski, Albina Zięba
Co-financed by The Ministry Of Culture And National Heritage
Media Patrons
Telewizja Polska, Polskie Radio, Portal Dzieje.pl
The Adoption of the Warsaw Confederation on religious freedoms, a painting by the artists who were members of St Luke’s Brotherhood
© fot. MHP
Polish history in a nutshell
Some of the objects returned to Poland from abroad - most of them as a result of the dramatic events of the Second World War. Others rested for years in the ground or under water and then were excavated during archaeological works. All are now accessible to the public, some for the first time after many years.
We also draw the visitor’s attention to the events that shape our present. By asking questions about what is important to us here and now, we wonder how future generations will remember it and what the objects we show in the exhibition will tell them. For history is a never-ending process - just like the building of our collection.
We also draw the visitor’s attention to the events that shape our present. By asking questions about what is important to us here and now, we wonder how future generations will remember it and what the objects we show in the exhibition will tell them. For history is a never-ending process - just like the building of our collection.
Get familiar with our collections
The Polish History Museum presents a rich and diverse collection, consisting of nearly 60,000 objects. The artifacts are obtained primarily for the needs of the permanent exhibition being prepared and the planned temporary exhibitions...
Read more
Building the permanent exhibition
The future exhibition will be 7,300 m2 and will contain about 3,600 museum items. The story will be told through various means: exhibits, multimedia, scenography and artistic installations...
Read more
The new building of the Polish History Museum
What is
the Polish History Museum?
The Polish History Museum builds bridges between the past and the present. Our aim is to create a community. By carrying out diverse exhibition, educational and scientific activities, we shape a modern patriotic sensibility. We contribute to the shaping of civic attitudes based on knowledge of tradition and openness to the world. By presenting the key themes of the history of the Polish state and nation, we present an in-depth view of Polish history, whilst appreciating the role of memory in the contemporary world. The Polish History Museum creates a collection of historical items, as well as documents, popularises and promotes Polish history.
The Polish History Museum was established on 2 May 2006, yet for many years a major challenge for the institution was the absence of its proper seat, a building where the museum could showcase the results of its daily work. Initially, the PHM’s home was planned to be located in the Saxon Palace (2006), then in Wilanów, and yet later in the exceptional location on the footbridge above the Łazienkowska Thoroughfare (2008). Eventually, the construction of the museum’s building began at the Warsaw Citadel (2018).
The Polish History Museum was established on 2 May 2006, yet for many years a major challenge for the institution was the absence of its proper seat, a building where the museum could showcase the results of its daily work. Initially, the PHM’s home was planned to be located in the Saxon Palace (2006), then in Wilanów, and yet later in the exceptional location on the footbridge above the Łazienkowska Thoroughfare (2008). Eventually, the construction of the museum’s building began at the Warsaw Citadel (2018).
