Bányai Balázs - Kovács Eleonóra (szer.): A"Zichy-expedíció"- Szent István Király Múzeum közleményei. A. sorozat 48. (Székesfehérvár, 2013)
The "Zichy Expedition"
206 THE “ZICHY EXPEDITION JENŐ ZICHY IN THE DIRECTORSHIP OF THE ARCHEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION Knowing the Count’s interest for culture, arts and antiquities it is not surprising that he was a founder and member of the board of the Historical and Archeological Association of County Fejér and Székesfehérvár. This Association was founded in 1873 with the goal of saving and maintaining antiquities and monuments, of collecting historical data in the county and the town as well as educating the public.107 The year 1876 was a hectic year not only for the changes in the theatre, but also for the Association and consequently for Zichy as well. The association "redoubled” its practical activities, in which Zichy took a major part. In the company of abbot-canon Mór König he represented the association at the international archeological and historical congress.108 It was the suggestion of the Count, - who "actively contributed to the cause of the association”, - that an exhibition be organized in order to "improve, distribute and promote the archeology and history of arts”. Zichy was member in the commission of planning the exhibition that was held in 1878 in the great hall of the Vörösmarty Circle.109 With the Circle’s antiquities, the private rarities of János Pauer, Mrs. László Szőgyény-Marich, Kálmán Sárközy and Jenő Zichy were presented there as well.110 For two years before the exhibition Zichy argued in favour of uniting and thereby strengthening the Vörösmarty Circle and the Association. He stated that should they unite, he would donate his library of 3000 books as well as the picture collection of his deceased friend to the new association. Despite these tempting offers, the Association chose to remain independent.111 The antiquities of the Association increased in number thanks to the new appeal for donations. Among the donators were aristocrats and landowners of the county, members of the clergy and famous personalities of Székesfehérvár’s public life. Of course Jenő Zichy was among the donators as well. He gave many ethnographical and archeological findings that did not fit into the family’s collection. The antiquity store was placed in the County Hall thanks to László Szőgyény-Marich, lord-lieutenant and president of the Association. Zichy continued to lend his treasures of art to exhibitions held in worthy places as well as to events of national importance.112 From the mid 1880s to 1892 the Historical and Archeological Association was in a "silent decline”.”3 The main role in its resurrection fell to Jenő Zichy. The Count, who was elected not only a member of the board but an honorary member too,114 was driven by the prospect of adequately celebrating the millenary jubileum of the Magyars in Hungary. In the assembly of the board in August 1892 he said that “it would be satisfying to determine the origin of our people” before the upco-
