Olaines Vēstures un mākslas muzejs

About the museum

The Olaines Vēstures un mākslas muzejs (Olaine History and Art Museum) is an institution of Olaine Municipality, founded on 22 November 1995. After a long reconstruction, the museum opened in 2019 in new premises at 9 Jelgavas iela – about 500 m² in a multi-apartment building, where a pharmacy and a shop had previously been located. It has been open to visitors since 5 December 2019.

The permanent exhibitions tell the history of the Olaine region from the 17th century to the present day. The main theme is the bog, which influenced the development of the settlement: the history of peat extraction, which began in Olaine in 1939, is presented, as well as evidence of the two world wars and of the deportation of residents. In the exhibition “Laboratorija” (Laboratory) visitors can learn about the history of the Olaine chemical factories and play a chemistry game with 3D elements.

In the open storage part of the collection is on display; the collection contains more than 6,000 items. A separate exhibition is devoted to the artist Andris Rumpēters, who lived in Olaine and worked at a plastics recycling factory. Outside the museum a First World War history trail has been set up, with a copy of a dugout and a fragment of a former tower.

Highlights

• The history of the bog and peat extraction techniques
• Exhibition “Laboratorija” with a chemistry game
• Room of the artist Andris Rumpēters
• Open storage with more than 6,000 items
• First World War history trail outdoors
• Free admission

Permanent exhibitions

• Galvenā ekspozīcija – Items from antiquity to the 1940s: the history of the region from the Polish–Swedish War and the Swedish period, through the Russian Empire, the Napoleonic Wars and the First World War, to the interwar period.
• Kūdras ieguves ekspozīcija – The story of the beginning of peat extraction in Olaine in 1939, with peat extraction equipment, audiovisual materials and Ata Luguza's peat sculpture “Purva ligzda” (Bog Nest); the Second World War and the deportation of residents are also covered.
• Laboratorija – Exhibition on the history of the Olaine chemical factories, the periodic table and a chemistry game with 3D elements.

Founded

1995

Operated by

Olaines novada pašvaldība

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission to the museum is free.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The museum offers museum-education lessons and activities for families with children.

Getting there & parking

The museum is at 9 Jelgavas iela; the First World War history trail is at 5 Jelgavas iela.

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