Muzeum Historii Spółdzielczości w Polsce

About the museum

The idea of a museum documenting the history of Polish cooperatives was put forward in February 1918 by Franciszek Stefczyk at the First Conference of Polish Co-operative Leaders in Lublin. Collections began to be gathered first in Kraków, then in Warsaw. The opening, planned for 1 September 1939, was prevented by the German and Soviet invasion of Poland.

The museum was opened to the public only in 1968, in Nałęczów, in the former State School of Agricultural Cooperatives. In 2001 it was moved to the seat of the Krajowa Rada Spółdzielcza (National Co-operative Council) in the historic Dom pod Orłami at ul. Jasna 1, built in 1912–1917 to a design by Jan Heurich for the Bank Towarzystw Spółdzielczych (Bank of Co-operative Societies).

The collections include documents, photographs, banners, medals, manuscripts, coins, posters, leaflets, books, sculptures, portraits and films. They tell of more than two centuries of work for social liberation, of the struggle to restore the Polish state, and of the role of cooperatives in the Polish Underground State. A separate place is occupied by the figure of Stanisław Wojciechowski, the second President of Poland and a cooperative activist.

Highlights

• The history of Polish cooperatives from the partition era
• Documents, banners, medals and cooperative posters
• Figure of Stanisław Wojciechowski, President and cooperative activist
• Seat in the historic Dom pod Orłami
• Virtual walk through the museum on the website

Permanent exhibition

• Wystawa stała o dziejach polskiej spółdzielczości – Exhibition on the development of cooperatives in Poland from the partition era to the present day, including banking, housing, labour and consumer cooperatives.

Founded

2004

Operated by

Krajowa Rada Spółdzielcza

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free of charge (information from the muzea.waw.pl portal; the museum’s website does not give prices).

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• 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

The museum is on the fourth floor of the Dom pod Orłami; the muzea.waw.pl portal does not confirm access for wheelchairs or a lift, so it is worth asking by telephone before a visit.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

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