Agria 38. (Az Egri Múzeum Évkönyve - Annales Musei Agriensis, 2002)

Fűköh Levente: A Mátra Múzeum története 1887–2002

Levente Fűköh The History of the Mátra Museum (1887-2002) With the rapid growth of capitalism following the Ausgleich (1867), conditions proved favourable for the foundation of municipal museums. There was great museological activity in the provinces mainly taking the form of civil initiatives. It has indeed been recognised by those who have studied the primary sources (Misóczki, L. 1984, 1997, Bakó, F. 1997) that Gyöngyös was also a beneficiary of such local initiatives. Grammar school teachers, doctors and lawyers like Ferenc Pulszky, elected as member of parliament for Gyöngyös in 1872, were the prime movers. It was indeed thanks to Pulszky's organisational acumen that the Mátra Museum's first-ever exhibition was opened on 15

th May 1887. The foundation of the museum marked the beginning of sixty years of considerable activity which saw the museum move into a new building and find its own identity. Due in no small part to the efforts of Gyula Nagy, the natural history and social history exhibitions were opened on 21

st July 1957. It was an event which marked the beginning of a new chapter in the history of the museum. During the course of the last 45 years the Mátra Museum has become one of the most important museums in Hungary. This is due mainly to its natural historical collections, exhibitions and related scientific and educational activities. At the present time the museum is once again on the threshold of great things. If the plans currently on the table become reality Gyöngyös will be become the proud owner of a modern, purpose-built museum complex, capable of meeting the requirements of the 21

st century. 120