Schleicher Vera - Tóth G. Péter (szerk.): Térjünk a tárgyra! (Veszprém, 2003)

INTRODUCTION One of the most significant products in the nation's resurgence era was the foundation of the Hungarian National Museum in 1802. On the centennial of the nation's first cultural institution of that kind several other counties proudly invited the public to their own museums. The turn of the last century still witnessed the flaming emotions about the millennium of the Hungarian's conquest, the Hungarian land and its virtues, on the other hand, the advanced European practice had an influence in which small settlements established museums, galleries, halls of historic fame to pay a tribute of respect to the memories of the past and noble traditions. This emotion and example promoted and quickly opened the doors to establish a museum in Veszprém county, and lead directly first to found a Veszprémvármegyei Múzeum Egylet (Veszprém County Museum Association), then to Veszprémvármegyei Múzeum (Veszprém County Museum). Had there been stable and firm commitment to establish the idea of a county museum, then the great work to found a museum would have commenced in 1873, including the collection and exhibition of numerous finds explored within the county 'for the more intelligent people wishing to know more'. Fortunately, successors at the turn of the century inherited and retained the idea to found such important cultural institution; moreover, they did even more: excited and enthusiastic they were, managed to transform idea into everyday practice with spiritual power, generous financial and material assistance. Clerics, public persons, and private individuals at the general assembly of the a Veszprémvármegyei Múzeum Egylet (Veszprém County Museum Association) on 30th November, 1902 showed open interest, commitment, selfabnegation and enthusiasm for the county museum matter. The town and county newspapers almost every day reported on the increase in the number of members, the finds, artworks, books and funds made available for this purpose. If somebody did something, he or she took it on and openly announced his or her community with this public and noble matter. Never ever so many partners, friends and such big family for a matter! Like a rolling river, the movement became so strong. As the County Assembly codified the Rules and Regulations of the County Museum on March 10th, 1903 and the assembly held on 4th of May decided on organisational and staffing issues, the way to commence the construction process envisaged quite clear. Many prepared with pleasure to visit the exhibition opened on the second floor of the County Hall on 6th November, 1904, in which viewers and 'builders' faced the shown objects, the noble contribution with the reality of the exhibition. Then and there patriotism filled hearts and souls and everybody knew that all that had been done to preserve the memories of the past, to show example for the future, and cherish self-esteem had been right. Not by contributing things and funds, but the best of their competency and in recognition of responsibility of immense values, as well as with enthusiasm and joy the staff of the Museum named after the first director Dezső Laczkó, undertook to organise the grand centennial exhibition. Despite the tight funding, now all efforts aim to make viewer feel to what degree the museum's initial collection established by the excellent fore-elders has grown both in size and content, what sorts of treasures, wonders, and values have been added to the museum that now is a leading cultural institution in the county. There are objects in the spotlight, as this was the aim of the particular method of selection. Objects, photographs, and documents have been classified into four main groups from the rich sources of the library and data library, as well as from ethnographical, archaeological, historical, fine and applied arts, and literary history collections. The objects selected to the subject called 'Series, groups of objects, ordinary objects' have been classified on the basis of function, content, and formal characteristics, with reference to the numbers of exhibits now available, as for the past 100 years they have amounted to significant quantities. Laczkó Dezső Museum preserves quite a few objects that are reckoned to be unique even at national level, without them our knowledge of the history of our country would be less extensive. Nevertheless, we do have treasures from our closer vicinity, that is our county, which are single and unique from the period they date back. These and other objects regarded to be special by the museologist form the group called 'Rare, unique, special'. So far the motive to make viewers see and comprehend has been based upon the function and uniqueness of objects, the last room draws the process of creation, and the makers, users into the centre of attention. In addition, 'Makers, users, consumers' is intended to describe what social background host the objects in the particular historical era. It is a well-known statement that a museum is a meeting place of mankind, a stage for collective memories and presentation of a community, where