The story of how the museum came into existence is both interesting and unusual. Not often does one find a secular institution within the walls of a place of worship. The initiative was taken by the PTT branch members, ( ) who had the idea to create a museum and in the process save a deteriorating church. The beginnings of the museum date back to December of 1927, when within the administrative structure of the Rabka PTT was formed the Museum Ethnographical Committee.
Members of the PTT who among others, founded the museum were; Dr. Zofia Sutorowska, Sgt. Dunin Borkowski, Father Justyn Bulanda, and Wlodzimierz Holeyko, all of whom acted with the consent of Father Jan Kanty Surowiak, the Maria Magdalena congregation parish priest of the time. Together they decided to use the ground floor of the bell tower for the exposition of items of local historical interest. The work of preparing the museum lasted from 1928 until the early 1930’s, and it was during this time that many of the items currently on exhibit were collected. Thanks to the Museum Ethnological Committee, through the obtaining of gifts and the purchase of other items, the collection grew to include several hundred pieces. In August of 1929 the Museum was granted permission by the well known writer Orkan to call the museum the Wladislaw Orkan Museum. The Museum only became an institution in 1934, and was opened for access to the public in 1936.

During the Second World War, the building remained untouched, although partisans of the time were active in storing weapons there.

Since 1958, the Museum has held annual artistic competitions, among others; the design of an Easter Palm; the same for Nativity scenes; and for the design of a ‘Turon’, or Christmas mime disguised as an animal. The facility is proud of several world famous collections connected with Polish highland culture. It hosts an outstanding group of primitive sculptures by Karol Wojciak-Herodek from Orawa, some early Nativity Stars, and examples of pottery.

www.muzeum-orkana.pl