Bányai Balázs - Kovács Eleonóra (szer.): A"Zichy-expedíció"- Szent István Király Múzeum közleményei. A. sorozat 48. (Székesfehérvár, 2013)
The "Zichy Expedition"
212 THE “ZICHY EXPEDITION to director Soma Mudrony, secretary Mór Gelléri and their other colleagues but Zichy’s role was far more than “encouraging, collecting and activating the present forces for work" Through his social and political connections he had much “lobbypower”. Moreover, he regularly supported the development of the Hungarian industry and the industrial education from his own private fortune. He encouraged the establishment of industrial schools in the country and supported the publishing of school books.140 In 1883 he gave 12 000 forints from his own fortune to the state for the establishment of industrial schools with the condition that the state must spend the same amount annually for the next few years on this task. He worked with the commissioner of the ministry concerned. During his 90-day national campaign he consulted with the leaders, artisans and teachers of the visited towns and could arrange for the foundation of schools in 76 towns.141 He published many essays on industry and the Hungarian economy but these met with less approval. Initially his enemies even called him “industry count” in a derogative manner because he defended the interests of Hungarian artisans persistently and often succesfully.142 Jenő Zichy was the president of the National Exhibition of Women’s Industries in 1881 with the goal of presenting the working abilities of women, the importance of home industries and the development of the weaving industry.143 He was also the vice-president of the national exhibition in Budapest in 1885. Aside from his representative role, he took part in the organization of the exhibition. This exhibition brought him international fame and he received national and international awards.144 During the opening of the Museum of Technological Industries in 1883 he was the president of the supervising commission. A memorial plaque was made for his honour in 1889 during the transfer of the museum and the National Industrial School into the building on the Körút (Ring) in Budapest designed by Alajos Hauszmann.145 Zichy was also the president of the National Board for Historic Buildings between 1877-1906. This was more an honorary position because the real work was done by Imre Henszlmann, Lajos Candid Hegedűs then by baron Gyula Forster.146 However, holding this position for decades marks Zichy’s interest in historic preservation. The Count was known in public cultural life for many reasons. He was a member of the Historic Association and in its assembly in 1893 he offered 100 gold coins to write an essay with the purpose of popularizing the historical sources of the settlement of the Magyars.147 At the end of the decade the Association called for a tender, with Zichy’s support to appraise the above mentioned historical sources.148 In 1898 Zichy was invited by the Minister of Culture into the council for “the growth and development”of the National Museum.
