The Grudziądz Museum was established on 15 June 1884 as the Municipal Museum of Antiquity, which featured mainly archeological relics. Gradually, the collection came to include historical, ethnographic, art, handicraft and numismatic exhibits.

In 1956 the Museum was shifted to the baroque building of the former Benedictine convent. At present the Father Dr. Władysław Łęga Museum also includes the former monastery gate, the so-called Abbesses’ Palace, and five historical granaries.

The complex of the former Benedictine convent is one of the most valuable monuments of baroque architecture in Pomerania. The Grudziądz granaries, which are situated on a high embankment, make a unique defensive line – a typical feature of the panorama of the town viewed from the banks of the Vistula river. All the monuments were built in a consistent style characteristic of applied and defensive architecture.
Thanks to its wide range of exhibits, the museum promotes historical and artistic awareness, the material and spiritual culture of the bygone ages as well as current trends in art.

The small and cozy interior of the central building features the Gallery of Modern Pomeranian Painting, which is the showcase of the Art Section. It displays works by Pomeranian artists since 1945, such as Bronisław Jamontt, Tymon Niesiołowski and Stanisław Borysowski, who were the founders of the Faculty of Fine Arts at Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń. The gallery also boasts works by their disciples (who are now lecturers or graduates of Toruń University from various years) including Zygmunt, Józef and Izolda Kotlarczyks, Barbara Steyer, Andrzej Guttfeld or Lucjan and Ewaryst Zamels. This part of the gallery also features paintings by artists from other schools. On display are works by contemporary Grudziądz artists, such as: Jerzy Feldman, Roman Aniszewski and Leszek Pawlikowski. The collection includes a number of multivalent works representing various artistic trends from realistic art to various kinds of abstract art. As these works reflect the versatility of Pomeranian artists, every visitor has a chance to learn about their achievements.

The History Section collects relics bearing testimony to various aspects of the town’s history from foundation until present day. Hence a wide range of exhibits: iconographic works, historical and artistic objects, militaria and numismatic items.
The collections of the History Section can be seen at a permanent exhibition called “The History of Grudziądz” featuring the history of the town from 1920 to 1939. Visitors can see a mock-up of the town, which shows how Grudziądz changed from 13th to 19th c. Since 1991 the History Section has also included collections recording the history of the Horse Cavalry Training Center from 1920 to 1939. The exhibits showing the history of one of Europe’s greatest cavalry training centers are displayed in the Rooms of the Polish cavalry tradition.

The numismatic department collects and prepares old currency and related items for display. The Grudziądz Museum boasts a rich collection of coins, banknotes, medals, orders and badges, totaling 8,200 items, with coins making up the largest collection (ca. 5,600 items). The oldest exhibits in this group are coins coming from the time of the Roman Empire. The museum also boasts a complete set of test and collector’s coins minted since 1949. Visitors can thus admire outstanding miniature works by Polish artists.

The Archeology Section contains over 7,600 exhibits from the Stone, Bronze and Iron Ages found in the northern parts of the Land of Chełmno (Kulmerland) and in the Land of Świecie. Most of them are displayed thanks to meticulous research done by the Section.

The Ethnography Section includes 1,222 items recording the folk culture of Pomerania – mainly that of the Kashubian region and the Land of Chełmno. On display are also exhibits from Hutsulshchyna (western Ukraine).
The ethnographic collection dates back to 1899 when the Museum purchased exhibits from New Guinea from Dr. Bolumiński. In 1910 the collection came to include exhibits from the Land of Chełmno and exotic exhibits from Syria and Guinea.
Currently, the ethnographic collection boasts exhibits connected with material culture, i.e.: hunting, fishery, livestock farming, forest bee-keeping, apiculture, agriculture, food preparation, wood, bark and fiber processing, and craft. Folk culture exhibits include sculptures by Władysław Lica, Jan Gajdowski and Cezary Kopik.

For many years our museum staff have been involved in educational activity. We arrange museum lessons, lectures, thematic workshops, music and art events, and film shows. We also offer guided tours of the permanent and temporary exhibitions (also available in English). During winter holidays we focus on free time activities for children and adolescents, organizing special temporary exhibitions, competitions and workshops. We offer our services to all types of schools and educational centers, as well as private persons.

www.muzeum.grudziadz.pl