Lithuania Minor History Museum

Contacts
Address: Didžioji Vandens g. 6, LT-91246, Klaipėda.
Tel.: (+370 ~ 46) 41 05 23, (+370 ~ 46) 31 21 39, (+370 ~ 46) 41 05 27,
(+370 ~ 46) 41 05 24.
Fax (+370 ~ 46) 31 21 39.
E-mail: mlieismu@takas.lt, info@mlimuziejus.lt 
http://www.mlimuziejus.lt
Director – dr. Jonas Genys.

Information for Visitor

Opening hours:
Lithuania Minor History Museum, Smithery Museum, Castle Museum:
Tuesday to Saturday 10–18.
Sculpture Park:
the park you can visit any time.

Admission:
Lithuania Minor History Museum, Smithery Museum:
adults – 5 Lt;
pupils, students, pensioners – 2,5 Lt.
Castle Museum:
adults – 6 Lt;
pupils, students, pensioners – 3 Lt.
Sculpture Park:
free of charge.

Collection
Archaeology;
Cartography;
Numismatics;
Ethnography;
History (documents, printings, iconography).

Exposition
The exposition’s stands contain archaeological finds, old maps, coins, photos, postcards, scale models of town, thank to which in an hour or an hour and half one may get acquainted with ten-thousand-year history of this area. The ethnographic exhibits reflect household and traditions of native inhabitants – the Lietuvininkai - and dramatic relations between the Lithuanians and the Germans. Many exhibits may be called without any hesitation as unique.

Exhibitions
The museum arranges various thematic exhibitions.

Cultural, educational activity
Archaeological researches;
Publishing activity;
Educational activity.

Branch museums

Smithery museum
Address: Šaltkalvių 2,2a, LT-91246, Klaipėda.
Working hours: Tuesday to Saturday 10–18.
Admission: adults – 3 Lt; pupils, students, pensioners – 1 Lt.
The Smith’s Work Museum was established in 1979, opened in 1992, near the old marketplace, in the place of the former smithy of F. Grimm, the smith from Klaipeda. Not far off another smithy is still standing and operating after restoration – that of G. Katzke, the famous smith master from Klaipėda. Most exhibits are crosses, fences, gates from cemeteries of Lithuania Minor and old Klaipeda, collected and saved from destruction by D. Varkalys, the metal restorer, as well as weathercocks characteristic only of the harbor. The Museum exposes the remaining authentic working tools of G. Katzke, household articles and tools made by smiths, pagan memorials out of metal from Lithuania Minor, horse sabots etc. In the operating smithy one may purchase original blacksmith’s articles.

Castle Museum
Address: Pilies g. 4, LT-91240, Klaipėda.
Working hours: Tuesday to Saturday 10–18.
Admission: adults – 4 Lt; pupils, students, pensioners – 2 Lt.
In the northwestern part of the castle-site the archaeological investigations are taking place during which secret entrances are restored, archaeological exposures and remaining castle bastions are preserved.
A conception for two expositions of the Museum is ready (“Military activities of the Curonians” and “Castle and Town from the 13th to the 17th centuries”), virtual designs for expositions. The first stage of work should be completed in 2002. At that time the Museum will open its door for visitors.

Sculpture Park
Address: among K. Donelaičio str., Liepų str., Trilapio str., and S. Daukanto str., Klaipėda
Tel. (+370 ~ 46) 41 05 24.
Open: anytime
Admission charge: free
The Park of sculptures has been established in the place of the old cemetery of the town. There in 1820 the graveyard of all Christian confessions was founded. It was still in use in the period of 1945-1959. Soon after the cemetery has been desolated and devastated. In 1975 Klaipėda’s executive committee decided to eliminate the graveyard and to settle a park of sculptures instead. Monuments and fences that survived were dissembled; some of them can be seen in the Museum of Smithery. From the year 1977 to 1991 symposiums of sculptors had been organized in Smiltynė and works created there were exposed in the park. Currently, in the area of 10 ha there are 117 various works of art created by 61 sculptors to be seen.

History of the Museum
In 1964 the first permanent exposition was arranged.
In 1966 the subsidiary of the Klaipėda Ethnography Museum was established as the Curonian Spit History Museum and all exhibits related to the Curonian Spit and the Curonian Bay were transferred to it.
In 1967 the Sea Section was established in the Ethnography Museum and afterwards it developed into an independent museum - Lithuanian Sea Museum.
On June 17, 1988 the Klaipėda Ethnography Museum was renamed as the Lithuania Minor History Museum. The ancient framework buildings located in the old city, Didžioji Vandens St., were transferred to the Museum.
Founder of the museum is Municipality of Klaipeda City.