Lietuvos švietimo muziejus

About the museum

The museum began in January 1922 with an exhibition in Kaunas of visual teaching aids by teachers and pupils. Its success prompted the founding of a science museum in November of the same year, which was headed by the teacher and librarian Vincas Ruzgas. On his initiative a central teachers' library-reading room, workshops and the first collections were created; the public also sent in exhibits.

The museum changed its premises and names several times: between the wars it operated as the Pedagoginis muziejus (Pedagogical Museum); in 1958 it was granted the status of the Respublikinis pedagoginis muziejus (Republican Pedagogical Museum), and later it became the Lietuvos švietimo istorijos muziejus (Lithuanian Education History Museum). It moved to Žemaičių gatvė in 1979, and since 2000 has been housed in its present building on Vytauto prospektas. In 2010 the museum was transferred to the Ministry of Culture, and in 2023 it received its present name, Lietuvos švietimo muziejus.

Today the collections hold more than 55 thousand items: rare publications, periodicals, photographs, documents of teachers and schools. The main exhibition tells the story of the development of education from the earliest times to 1990, while other halls show old natural science teaching aids, the memorial study of Vincas Ruzgas, and a renewed exhibition on education in the Soviet period and in the diaspora. The museum also houses a stylised school classroom and an Art Deco salon with interwar furniture.

Highlights

• Main exhibition “Iš amžių glūdumos į mus” on the development of education from the 14th century to 1990
• Renewed (2024) exhibition on education in the Soviet period and in the diaspora
• Old natural science teaching aids, posters, models and a mineral collection
• Vincas Ruzgas memorial study
• Art Deco salon with interwar furniture and a stylised school classroom

Permanent exhibitions

• Iš amžių glūdumos į mus – The main exhibition tells the story of the development of education in Lithuania from the end of the 14th century to 1990: from Jesuit and secret schools to the Soviet period and the diaspora.
• Senosios gamtos mokslų vaizdinės mokymo priemonės – Posters, models, mock-ups, herbaria and a mineral collection used in schools at the beginning of the 20th century, with interactive games.
• Vinco Ruzgo memorialinis kabinetas – Personal belongings, photographs, documents and textbooks of the museum's founder and long-time director.

Founded

1922

Operated by

Lietuvos Respublikos kultūros ministerija

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Admission is free for everyone on the last Sunday of each month.

All exhibitions can be visited with a joint museum ticket unless the website states otherwise. Free admission for orphans, persons aged 80 and over, museum employees, ICOM members, holders of the POLA and Family cards, and Ukrainian citizens with refugee status.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Persons with mobility impairments can reach the first floor by a ramp from the inner courtyard. There is no way to get up to the other floors.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities
• Kids’ birthday parties

The museum runs educational sessions, family Saturdays, children's camps (6–12 years) during the winter, summer and autumn holidays, and birthday parties. A place for changing a baby is set up on the first floor. Pushchairs can be taken only to the first floor.

Getting there & parking

Timetables: stops.lt/kaunas.

Amenities & dining

• Coat check
• Lockers

On the first floor there is a cloakroom with lockable lockers for larger bags. Bicycle stands are in the inner courtyard. Pets are not admitted to the exhibitions.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 30 guests.

The Art Deco space (30 seats), the stylised school classroom (16 places) and the Grey Hall can be rented; the price is €30 per hour on working days and €50 per hour at weekends (the price for the Grey Hall with equipment differs).

Plan your visit