Muzeum Historii Kielc

About the museum

The idea of a museum devoted to the history of Kielce goes back to the beginnings of museum activity in Kielce and to the museum of the Polish Tourist and Sightseeing Society from 1908. In the 20th century several attempts were made to establish such a museum, and in the nineties successive scenarios for the exhibition “Dzieje Kielc” (History of Kielce) were prepared at the National Museum. The decision to establish the institution was taken by the Kielce City Council on 1 September 2006, and on 30 October of the same year the museum received its seat. It opened on 1 February 2008.

The museum is housed in a townhouse at ul. Świętego Leonarda 4, built in the middle of the 19th century on a plot bought in 1843 by the Towarzystwo Kredytowe Ziemskie (Land Credit Society). The building was renovated in 2004–2006. The first director was the historian Dr Jan Główka, who led the institution until 2020; the current director is Grzegorz Maciągowski.

The permanent exhibition “Z dziejów Kielc” presents the history of the town, from the pre-locational settlement and the Middle Ages, through the period of the private town of the bishops of Kraków, the voivodeship and gubernial period, the road to independence and the Second Republic, up to the years of the Second World War and the post-war era, including the destruction of the Kielce ghetto. Visitors can see, among other things, a model of a medieval hut, a book of the City Council from the 18th century, the oldest town seal, officers’ uniforms and old views of the town, while multimedia presentations convey the atmosphere of the former Wesoła Street. The museum also runs temporary exhibitions, publishing activity (including the yearbook “Studia Muzealno-Historyczne”) and educational activities.

Highlights

• Permanent exhibition “Z dziejów Kielc” from the Middle Ages to the 20th century
• Oldest town seal and a book of the City Council from the 18th century
• Multimedia presentations, including one on Wesoła Street
• History of the Kielce ghetto during the Second World War
• Blue Zone for people on the autism spectrum

Permanent exhibition

• Z dziejów Kielc – Permanent historical exhibition on the history of the town, from a medieval settlement through the era of the bishops of Kraków to the 19th and 20th centuries, with multimedia presentations.

Founded

2008

Operated by

Gmina Kielce (miejska instytucja kultury)

Director

Grzegorz Maciągowski

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Every Saturday – free admission to the permanent exhibition (does not apply to temporary exhibitions).

Prices apply from 1 September 2023. Amateur photography and filming without additional lighting or a tripod is free of charge. Groups (10–30 people) should be registered in advance; the museum provides guides only for registered groups.

Accessibility

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

The main entrance from ul. Świętego Leonarda has no ramp, but three entrances from the inner courtyard are accessible: one with a ramp, and another giving access to a lift to the first floor, where the permanent exhibition is. For wheelchair users the ground-floor corridor, the cloakroom, the conference room, the temporary exhibition rooms and the permanent exhibition rooms are accessible. The toilet for people with disabilities is on the ground floor next to the security desk. The museum has no designated car park for people with disabilities, no induction loops and no Braille markings. The building is a Blue Zone for people on the autism spectrum, with a film guide.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Families can buy a family ticket (PLN 35); the museum runs workshops and educational activities for children and young people, and city walks.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Coat check

A cloakroom is available on the ground floor.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit