Iisaku Kihelkonna Muuseum

About the museum

In May 1974 Daniel Vardja, who had moved from Tallinn to Iisaku, initiated the furnishing of a museum room at the Iisaku secondary school and made the first collecting trip that same year. The collection grew quickly, and from 1 October 1975 a local history museum was set up at the school. In 1979 the museum was given the school building constructed during the First World War, which was converted into a museum. The local history museum was officially opened on 19 August 1983.

In 1997 the museum was named Iisaku Vallamuuseum (Iisaku Municipal Museum), and in 1998 it gained the status of a state museum. In 2003 the museum took over the former municipal building opposite the main building, where the temporary exhibitions and a hall are located. Since the beginning of 2016 the museum has operated as a foundation under the name Iisaku Kihelkonna Muuseum.

Today the permanent exhibition is in the two-storey main building and is divided into thematic rooms: the main hall presents the history of Ida-Viru County and the surroundings of Iisaku; the farmhouse room shows the work and everyday culture of the residents of the Iisaku region; the craftsman’s room shows handicrafts; the classroom shows school and cultural life; the fire brigade room shows the history of the volunteer fire brigade; and the nature room shows the game and birds of the Alutaguse forests and the fish of Lake Peipus. In addition, the teacher’s flat, showing an official’s home in the early years of the 20th century, is on display.

Highlights

• Main hall: history of Ida-Viru County and Iisaku
• Farmhouse room, craftsman’s room and classroom
• Fire brigade room and nature room with Alutaguse wildlife
• Teacher’s flat from the early 20th century
• Educational and experience programmes
• Museum card is valid

Permanent exhibition

• Iisaku Kihelkonna Muuseumi püsiekspositsioon – The main hall presents the history of Ida-Viru County and the surroundings of Iisaku; in addition there are the farmhouse room, the craftsman’s room, the classroom, the fire brigade room, the nature room and the teacher’s flat.

Founded

1975

Operated by

SA Iisaku Kihelkonna Muuseum

Admission & discounts

Free admission also for persons who were repressed, ICOMOS members, museum staff and schoolchildren of Alutaguse rural municipality during school activities. The museum card is valid. Payment in cash or by bank card.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

On the lower floor of the main building you can move around the large hall by wheelchair, and ramps can be placed over the thresholds. Reaching the rooms on the upper floor is difficult for people with mobility impairments because of the steep staircase. The entrance has two steps, for which a ramp can be placed. The community centre has a disabled parking space and an accessible toilet; access to the exhibition hall on the first floor is difficult. A guide dog may be brought into the museum, but this must be agreed in advance.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Programmes for nursery school children and school levels; games and activities can be held in the yard and in the garden pavilion.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit