Aušros Museum
Šiaulių apskritis
Aušros Museum, located in Šiaulių apskritis, Lithuania, is among the country's largest and most diverse museums, renowned for its extensive collections and active cultural role. Established in 1923 and named after the first Lithuanian newspaper "Aušra," it has grown to include six departments, eight specialized units, and nine exhibitions. The museum preserves traditional museology practices while embracing modern innovations. Its collections emphasize ethnographic artifacts gathered through numerous expeditions starting in the 1930s, which form about 70% of its holdings. Historically, the museum has played a key role in safeguarding regional cultural heritage, including registering and protecting cultural monuments in Šiauliai and neighboring districts. The museum's activities have included publishing regional chronicles and ethnographic journals, and it has exhibited its collections internationally. Today, the museum also features specialized branches such as the Chaim Frenkel Villa Museum, highlighting the history of the Frenkel family and Šiauliai's Jewish community. Active in education and cultural events, Aušros Museum continues to be a vital institution preserving and presenting Lithuania's ethnographic and historical legacy.
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Tip: Visitors are advised to check the museum's official website for current opening hours and special events, as some branches may close during holidays. Free guided tours are occasionally offered, especially during commemorative exhibitions like the 1915 World War I display. Purchasing tickets in advance is recommended for popular exhibitions and special events. The museum offers discounts for students, seniors, and groups. Spring and early autumn are ideal visiting seasons to enjoy both indoor exhibitions and outdoor museum branches.
Interesting facts
- •About 70% of the museum's exhibits were collected during ethnographic expeditions starting in 1930.
- •The museum published the first and only ethnographic journal in Lithuania "Gimtasai kraštas" from 1934 to 1943.
- •Aušros Museum exhibited its collections internationally, including at the Trocadéro Museum in France (1935) and the 1939 World's Fair in New York.
- •The museum's founder, Peliksas Bugailiškis, also directed the Ethnology Institute of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences.
- •The Chaim Frenkel Villa Museum branch highlights the history of the Frenkel family, known for their industrial contributions and Jewish heritage in Šiauliai.
History
Founded on March 11, 1923, by the Šiauliai County Board and named after the first Lithuanian newspaper "Aušra," the museum initially operated modestly and was transferred to the Šiauliai Regional Society and later the city municipality.
Its first exhibition opened in 1928 in a former bathhouse building.
The museum expanded its ethnographic collections through annual expeditions from 1930, gathering most of its artifacts and archival material.
In the 1930s, it began publishing regional chronicles and ethnographic journals.
Political changes in 1940 led to nationalization and a shift in responsibilities, including registering cultural monuments in the region.
The museum briefly became part of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences but was later returned to local administration.
Despite challenges, it has maintained its mission to preserve and promote regional culture and history.
Place Guide
Ethnographic Collections1930s onwards
A rich assembly of artifacts gathered from extensive expeditions since 1930, showcasing traditional Lithuanian culture, crafts, and daily life in the Šiauliai region.
Chaim Frenkel Villa MuseumEarly 20th century
A dedicated branch presenting the history of the Frenkel family, prominent industrialists in Šiauliai, and the Jewish community's heritage through preserved villa architecture and exhibitions.
Contact
Phone: (0-41) 433680
