An often plundered and scattered collection

The Palóc Museum in Balassagyarmat

MúzeumCafé 22.

Iván Nagy, who died in 1898, bequeathed his estate to the Nógrád County Museum Association, stipulating that the money could only be spent on building a new museum. A tender was announced in 1910 and won by the architect Gyula Wälder. Work began but finances ran out, so one of the wings of the building was not constructed. Its absence can still be felt – there is not enough space for offices, storerooms or exhibitions. Following World War II everything had to be restarted. János Manga was appointed director of the museum in 1949 and ethnographic research and collection increasingly became the main activities. Manga laid great emphasis on collecting and recording folk music instruments and objects connected to shepherds’ life, holiday customs and crafts. The museum was nationalised in 1950 and the name changed to Palóc Museum. According to the present director, Ágnes Lengyel, who was appointed last year, although the museum has lost its leading role in the county it is still an exciting place professionally. The museum turned into a branch institution more than 30 years ago and it is rich mostly in its collection of objects rather than finances. The institution won 97 million forints for infrastructural development in 2010 – entirely from EU sources. This is being spent on extending the museum’s lapidarium in such a way that it could also operate as a location for events and museum education sessions. All new areas will be accessible for people with disabilities. The museum and the local authorities are considering conversion of the Art Nouveau/Eclectic Aninger House in the museum’s vicinity. This could house the Nógrád County Identity Centre presenting the county’s cultural and natural treasures, as well as the region’s present-day cultural creations.