Szirácsik Éva (szerk.): Neograd 2009 - A Nógrád Megyei Múzeumok Évkönyve 33. (Salgótarján, 2010)
Matits Ferenc: A Nógrádi Történeti Múzeum képzőművészeti gyűjteménye
NEOGRAD 2009 NÖGRAD MEG iJZEUMOK ÉVKÖNYVE XXXIII. kunit hoffentlich nicht nur die Ausstellungsmöglichkeiten sondern auch die Lagerungsmöglichkeiten des Museums erheblich verbessert. The Art Collection of the Nógrád Historical Museum By Matits Ferenc In 1891 the Nógrád County museum was founded in Balassagyarmat, the county seat at that time. After having temporary places, the one-storey palace of the museum was built in the centre of the town in 1914. The collecting work of the museum was various. It was extended to natural history, history, literature, arts, etnography, applied arts and archeology. Because of World War 1, the museum could open for the public only in 1931. The museum got its name after the founder Iván Nagy and besides other exhibits fine art pieces were also displayed until the end of World War 2. Besides the museum’s own exhibits visitors could also see artefacts lent by the National Fine Arts Museum. Due to World War 2 the collections of the museum suffered major losses and impairments. The new director, Dr János Manga, who was an etnograph, sent 47 partially damaged paintings to Budapest. In 1950 a government decree specified a new county seat Salgótarján, the east- Nógrád industrial town. But there was no proper cultural institution. That is why in 1959 the Nógrád County Labour Movement Museum was founded, which, in 1970 took over the directing role of the Nógrád County museums, and with the exception of ethnography, all museum branches were taken from Balassagyarmat. Since 1973 in Szécsény there has also been a museum where for 30 years permanent exhibitions on archeology, history and natural history (hunting and forestry) were arranged. At the beginning of the 21st century these were replaced by new archeological and historical permanent exhibitions, and in 3 rooms castle interiors are built. The ceremonial hall of the castle is suitable for temporary art exhibitions. In the neighbouring cultural house the autumn exhibitions of Nógrád artists have been organized since 1991. In Pásztó a local history museum was started first, later enlarged with permanent exhibitions on natural history, music history, church history and school history, then the Csohány Gallery was established. In 1980, the new museum building was opened in Salgótarján with appropriate display facilities for the art exhibitions of the town (artcolony and spring exhibitions, graphic biennals). In the centre of the town in the modern building exhibition halls and offices can be found, but unfortunately, no storage place was built for art pieces. This is why the cellars of the museum and those of the neighbouring blocks of studio flats have been needed for storage. The problems with water 138
