Savaria - A Vas Megyei Múzeumok Értesítője 32/2. (2009) (Szombathely, 2009)

TÓTH Kálmán: A SZOMBATHELYI KULTÚRPALOTA ÉPÍTÉSTÖRTÉNETE (1900-1910)

A SZOMBATHELYI KULTÚRPALOTA ÉPÍTÉSTÖRTÉNETE (1900-1910) TÓTH Kálmán Savaria Múzeum, Közönségkapcsolati Osztály H-9700 Szombathely, Kisfaludy Sándor u. 9., Hungary E-mail: titkar@muzeumbarat.hu HISTORY OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF SZOMBATHELY PALACE OF CULTURE (1900-1910) Until 1910, the activities of the Vas County Cultural Association, the legal successor of the Vas County Archaeological Society in operation from 1871 till 1899, were determined by the construction of the palace of culture intended for museum and general education purposes, today's Savaria Museum. The circumstances of the establishment of the association (initiative from above!), and the composition of the staff of officers and board of directors also prove that they were formed for the socialisation of official cultural policy attempts, in a similar way to other corporation level cultural associations in the country. In the first decade of the 20

th century the life of the association was directed by an unchanged staff of officers in key posts, significant modifications to the constitution only being necessitated by the creation of institutional conditions. The membership, with small traceable fluctuations, also indicates settled circumstances. Opinions and disputes in connection with the architectural designs for the palace of culture and the location for the building had an energising effect on the life of the association. On completion and furnishing of the museum and the library, then the cultural centre located in one building with these (1910), a new era began in the history of the Vas County Cultural Association. Management of the new institutions raised new problems, new demands in 1912 led to the first comprehensive reform of the association and to transformation of the staff of officers. The events reviewed not only provide additions to the history of the construction of the palace of culture, but also supply information on the internal life of the cultural association and the capability to defend its interests, and at the same time we hope they contribute to sketching a cultural picture of Vas County and Szombathely before the First World War.