A Móra Ferenc Múzeum Évkönyve: Studia Historica 2. (Szeged, 1999)

Dr. Lajos KAKUCS: Sigismund Ormos, der Südungarische Historische Verein in Temeswar Und Das Museumswesen im Banat (1872-1919)

léstörténetéről olvashatunk, de Czirbusz Géza temesvári piarista tanár megalapozta az etnográfiai kutatásokat is. Az egyesület nyilvános jellege abban is kifejezésre jutott, hogy számos hasonló intézettel épített ki kapcsolatot Romániában, Szerbiában és főleg Itáliában. LAJOS KAKUCS SIGISMUND ORMOS, THE SOUTH HUNGARIAN HISTORIAL SOCIETY IN TEMESVÁR AND THE DESTINY OF THE MUSEUM IN BANAT (1872-1919) Apart from storing piles of treasure, the most significant traditional role of the museum collection was to serve the purpose of public education. In its beginnings, we take into account those archaeological excavations of the Bánság Qocated in Romania) which began in the 18th century and composed the important historical inheritances of this region. Gradually, these materials became the focus of interest of traders and clerks who came to live in this town during the 19th century. Sigmond Ormos became a part of this process while still being involved unofficially in Búzás. He was enthusiastic and very interested in the archaeological excavation of the Bánság. He constantly thought about the question of how to preserve these cultural materials for the younger generations? He went on several study visits to Italy and wrote a book about his learning experiences. He was elected into the Academy [of Science] as a member in 1861. Although he was promoted to deputy sheriff in 1867, and then head sheriff in 1869, he continued his collection of numismatic and archaeological materials. On September 7th, 1872, he officially announced the materialization of his dream: the foundation of the Historical and Archaeological Society which was based in the city of Temesvár. Beside Ormos, the names of Jenő Szentklaray and Peter Deszpinits can also be seen in the list of the „fathers" of the society. Ormos defined the official purpose of the society as the completion of excavations and the preservation of archaeological remains. At the same time, this allowed the public to gain an insight into the past by being allowed to view the salvaged artifacts. This of course, required enough space. The artifacts were first housed by Bonanz, the bishop of Csanád and later on they were given a home by the county. However, Ormos dreamt of an independent institution: a real museum. This is why he brought to life the Society of the Museum in 1879. The dream finally became a reality in 1888 with the completion of the construction of the museum which was built from the generous donation of the local population and the support of the county. It still remains standing today. Between 1872 and 1919, the majority of members of the Museum Society was composed of clergy, teachers, lawyers, journalists and clerks. The number of members, the vast majority of whom were from the Temes and Torontál counties, jumped to 190 at the turn of the century. Significant scientific studies became a part of the life of the Society. Well known scientists, such as Leonard Böhm or Lajos Baróti carried out research which have a great deal of significance for 19th century history of the Bánság. In his works, he spends a great deal discussing the settlement history of the German minority of the Bánát. However, the first ethnographic research about this cultural minority living in this region was carried out by Géza Czirbusz who was a Piarists teacher in Temesvár. The outside image of the Society changed with the evolution of various relationships between it and numerous similar institutions in Romania, Serbia and especially in Italy.