Muzeum Regionalne w Bełchatowie
City museum in the historic Olszewski manor house in the centre of Bełchatów, with exhibitions on the history of the town and region, prehistory and manor interiors.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The idea of founding a regional museum came from members of the Friends of Bełchatów Association. In July 1993 a social founding committee met, and by resolution of the Municipal Council of 28 November 1994 the museum received its statute. The institution formally began operating in 1995. An eighteenth-century noble manor house in the centre of town, known as the Olszewski manor house, was designated as its seat. Until the monument was restored, the museum used the “Strzelec” building at ul. 1 Maja, built in 1938.
The museum is now housed in the renovated manor house at ul. Rodziny Hellwigów. The oldest rooms on the ground floor are occupied by the exhibition “Manor Interiors from the Turn of the 19th and 20th Centuries”. It is not a strict reconstruction, since the original furnishings have not survived; rather, it is an attempt to convey the atmosphere of a noble residence from the time when the Hellwig family lived there. The most representative room is the Concert Hall, where concerts, meetings, lectures and wedding ceremonies take place.
On the upper floor is the Regional Gallery with an exhibition on the history of Bełchatów, an archaeology room on the prehistory of the region, an exhibition on Bełchatów crafts, and the Salonik Tradycji Niepodległościowych (independence traditions room) with memorabilia of the struggle for independence and a historic weapon. The ground floor also displays folk art. The museum further holds militaria, coins and ethnographic collections, runs a research workshop, and organises museum lessons, workshops and outdoor events.
Highlights
- Exhibition “Manor Interiors from the Turn of the 19th and 20th Centuries” in the Olszewski manor house
- Exhibition on the history of Bełchatów in the Regional Gallery
- Archaeology room: prehistory of the region from the Stone Age
- Salonik Tradycji Niepodległościowych with a copy of “Kościuszko at Racławice”
- Folk art and Bełchatów crafts
Permanent exhibitions
- Wnętrza dworskie z przełomu XIX i XX wieku – Exhibition in the oldest ground-floor rooms of the Olszewski manor house, evoking the atmosphere of a noble residence from the Hellwig era. It is not an exact reconstruction, as the original furnishings have not survived.
- Historia Bełchatowa – Exhibition on the history of the town, shown on the upper floor in the Regional Gallery.
- Pradzieje regionu – Exhibition in the archaeology room on the upper floor, presenting the prehistory of the Bełchatów region from the Stone Age to modern times.
- Founded
- 1994
- Operated by
- Miasto Bełchatów
- Director
- dr hab. Dariusz Rogut
Admission & discounts
| Adults | 10 zł |
|---|---|
| Reduced | 5 zł |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 2 · Children under three enter free of charge. |
| Students & apprentices | –Students of the Uniwersytet Pierwszego Wieku (University of the First Age) enter free of charge upon presentation of their student card. |
| Groups | –A group may have no more than 30 people. Guided tours for organised groups must be reported one week in advance. |
| “Historia za grosze” ticket (with the Bełchatów Family Card) | 4 złUpon presentation of the card and an identity document. |
| Ticket with the nationwide Large Family Card (Karta Dużej Rodziny) | 4 zł |
| Museum guide, weekdays (Tuesday–Friday) | 30 zł |
| Museum guide, Saturday, Sunday, public holidays and outside opening hours | 60 zł |
Free admission: Sunday (free admission)
Free admission is also granted to, among others, museum staff, honorary citizens of the town and teachers supervising school groups (one supervisor per 15 pupils). Tickets can also be bought online.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Animals are not permitted in the museum, with the exception of guide dogs.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 2 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
The museum offers educational programmes for kindergarten children and pupils: museum lessons and workshops (including playing archaeologist, cave painting and lessons on the town's symbols), usually lasting 60 minutes. During the holidays it organises the sessions “Wakacje z historią w tle” (Holidays with History in the Background).
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
- Museum shop
- Coat check
Coats, large bags, backpacks, umbrellas and pushchairs must be left in the cloakroom at the entrance. The museum runs a shop with publications and souvenirs.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Weddings / ceremonies
The museum rents out its rooms. Price list: first hour during opening hours PLN 150, each further hour PLN 120; outside opening hours PLN 200 and PLN 180. The Concert Hall also serves as a wedding room for the Civil Registry Office (Urząd Stanu Cywilnego).
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Photographing and filming exhibits with flash is prohibited. |
| Good to know | Food and drink may not be brought into the exhibition rooms, and exhibits may not be touched. Guided tours are possible if registered in advance. On Saturdays some rooms may be closed to visitors because of wedding ceremonies. |
