Istorinė Lietuvos Respublikos Prezidentūra

About the museum

The house was built in the mid-19th century by a wealthy resident of Kaunas and had several later owners before it became a palace. Representatives of various authorities resided here: the governor of the Kaunas Governorate and the head of the German Oberost; from 1919 the Presidency of the Republic of Lithuania was located in the palace. Three presidents of independent Lithuania worked there: Antanas Smetona, Aleksandras Stulginskis and Kazys Grinius. Receptions and celebrations took place in the palace, and foreign guests visited.

In Soviet times the building housed the Pioneers’ Palace, and later the Teachers’ House. Around 1990 the idea arose of setting up a museum here, and after a protracted reconstruction, from 2004 the building belonged to the Presidential Chancellery. On 3 July 2005 President Valdas Adamkus handed the palace over to the M. K. Čiurlionis National Art Museum, and on 5 July the Historic Presidency opened its doors to visitors.

The renovated exhibition presents the presidents of the first Republic and the institution of the presidency, their speeches, oaths and personal belongings, as well as the fateful meeting of the Council of Ministers and the highest army commanders that took place in the palace during the night of 14–15 June 1940. The greatest challenge awaiting visitors is Juozas Zikaras’s sculpture “Laisvė” (Freedom), assembled from “bricks”. In the palace garden stand bronze sculptures of the three presidents.

Highlights

• Exhibition on the presidents of the first Republic and the institution of the presidency
• Presentation of the last meeting of 14–15 June 1940
• Interactive puzzle of Juozas Zikaras’s sculpture “Laisvė” (Freedom)
• Garden with sculptures of Smetona, Grinius and Stulginskis
• Audio guide of the Historic Presidency

Permanent exhibitions

• Pirmosios Lietuvos Respublikos prezidentai ir prezidento institucija – Interactive exhibition with the presidents’ biographies, oaths, speeches, documentary footage, games and a presentation of the June 1940 meeting.
• Sugrįžtančios relikvijos – Exhibition on state relics that returned to Lithuania and on personal belongings.

Founded

2005

Operated by

Nacionalinis M. K. Čiurlionio dailės muziejus

Admission & discounts

Free admission: On the last Sunday of each month.

Free admission also for children from children’s homes, socially supported school groups, Lithuanian museum workers, ICOM members, artists, art school pupils, journalists and other specified persons. A visit outside the exhibition opening hours is charged at double the price.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

The renovated exhibition contains many interactive educational activities and games; educational programmes are offered for pupils.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Historical books, souvenirs and information booklets about Kaunas are sold.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit