Samogitian museum ALKA

National Network
Lithuania
Address

Muziejaus street 31
87357 Telšiai, Lithuania
Lithuania

Telephone
+37044470282
Telephone (other)
+37044470160
Fax
+37044470282
E-Mail
info@muziejusalka.lt
Mobile Phone
+37067229462
Organisation Type
Public Institution
Year of Establishment
1932
Fields of Activity
  1. Heritage
  2. Youth and education
General Information

The museum history goes back to 1932 , when one of the most active initators decided to establish a society and  maintain a museum by their own means.On the 6th of October in 1938 the museum's new building was opened during an agricultural exhibition in Telšiai. The museumm gradually became one of the centres of Samogitian culture, although until 1939 it had only two employee: the director and a cleaner. Right now there are 41 paid employees. Budgetary resources available in a year - 1,410437,72 litas or 408404,11 euros.  

Mission and Objectives

Samogitian museum Alka has one of the most interesting collections of all the museums in Lithuania. There are more than 100,000 objects representing Samogitian culture of Lithuania. This museum represents collection of the heritage of the Samogitian estates, the historical- numismatics section, which holds written and printed documents, photgraphy. Furthermore, archeological findings includes such as stone hatchets, iron spearheads and bronze jewellery of early settlers. Valuable collection includes Samogitian folk sculptures, bas-reliefs, crosses, altars, chapels, iron crosses. Museum is housed in the building specially designed for museum exhibitions. There are 10 different sections, which provides different heritage of Samogitian culture and history in the museum Alka. A large gallery is composed for temporary and travelling exhibits. On the south-western bank of Lake Mastis lies a mini open-air museum of the Samogitian village. In an area of 8,5 ha, household utensils, agricultural implements and pieces of furniture from the end of the 19th-early 20th c. The exposition in the buildings reveals the daily life and environment of peasants of that period.

Main Projects / Activities

Museum presents a myriad of public programming including, performances, reading, concerts, lectures, special events and workshops throughout the year. It has special educational programs for children, students and adults. Alka museum serves students from secondary schools not only in whole Lithuania , but also in 2012 took care of international scout organization. For more than 2000 children were educated in mini open air museum of the Samogitian village. The mission of Samogitian Museum Alka acquires, preserves, exhibits and interprets its collections to educate the public about the arts, history, arecheology, folk art, the heritage of ethnic culture of Samogitian people of Lithuania.

Contact (1) Full Name
Ajida Stančienė
Job Title
Museum guide
Head of the organisation
Elvyra Spudytė
Contact (2) Full Name
monika.sudintaite@muziejusalka.lt
Job Title (2)
coordinator