History of Our Museum
Head of the Regional Museum (Heimatmuseum) from 1935 to 1944
In 1908, the first mayor of Stargard, Albert Kolbe, established the City Museum, which was the first public museum institution in the city. The development of the institution was halted by the outbreak of World War I, and it was only after the war ended that the original plans were resumed. At that time, the local Museum was located in the Town Hall, and its director was Dr. Martin Hasenjäger. By the late 1920s, Mayor A. Kolbe planned to rebuild the arsenal to house the City Museum. In the early 1930s, due to an expanding collection, the Museum was moved to the Odwach. During this period, the collections were made available to visitors by prior arrangement. In 1935, the City Museum (Städtisches Museum) replaced the Regional Museum (Heimatmuseum), which covered Stargard and the area of the former Szadzki County. Its director became Dr. Hans Siuts (1885-1971). With the establishment of the new institution, the search for a new headquarters began. The choice fell on the church buildings located at the corner of today’s Kazimierz Wielki and Bolesław Krzywoustego Streets. The official opening took place on June 28, 1939. On four exhibition levels, visitors could view an exhibition dedicated to the history of the city and region.
During World War II, the most valuable collections were evacuated to the castle in Pęzino and the manor in Wielen near Chociwla. The Museum itself operated until August 1944, when Director Siuts was called to dig trenches in Stare Kurowo. After the city was occupied by the Russians, the collections were taken eastward. Some items survived, including: a processional cross by Johann Apengeter from the 14th century (currently held by the Society of Christ for the Polish Diaspora in Puszczykowo near Poznań), three Gothic sculptures: the Apocalypse Virgin, St. Catherine, and St. Barbara (currently located in the church in Chociwle), as well as other artifacts that, in 1946, were transferred to the collections of the Museum of Western Pomerania in Szczecin (now the National Museum in Szczecin). Two late Gothic figures, St. Catherine and Christ Blessing, survived in our Museum's collection from the former collection. The creation of the post-war Museum was initiated in 1959 by the Presidium of the District National Council, PTTK activists, and the Museum of Western Pomerania in Szczecin. On February 1, 1960, Władysław Niemierowski (1927-1991) was appointed as the head of the institution. The first headquarters was at the Pyrzycka Gate. Its official opening took place on July 21, 1960, and the majority of the exhibits came from collections received from the local PTTK, the Museum of Western Pomerania, and private donors.
Head of the Museum from 1960 to 1966
In 1966, the Museum's headquarters were moved to the Odwach and the tenement house at number 3 on the Old Market Square. In the same year, Krystyna Loose became the new head of the Museum. This marked the beginning of an intensive development of the Stargard Museum. The staff carried out exhibition activities, scientific research, and organized popularization meetings. In 1973, the Museum was given the ruins of the Bastei with the idea of organizing an exhibition and military memorabilia storage there (which was finally opened in 1986). The year 1980 brought a change in the position of the head, with Antonina Manna (1937-2001) appointed to the role. In 1990, the City Council gave the Museum a new statute and organizational regulations, which provided for the establishment of three departments: Scientific and Dissemination, Documentation and Technical, and Administrative and Financial. The previous head was appointed to the position of Director. Three years later, the Museum was entrusted with the management of the tenement house at number 4 on the Market Square.
On the left, Krystyna Loose, head of the Museum from 1966 to 1980. On the right, Antonina Manna (1937-2001), head and director of the Museum from 1980 to 1997.
In 1997, Sławomir Preiss became the director of the Museum. The institution underwent another reorganization, resulting in the creation of five departments: Archaeological, Historical, Art Dissemination, Documentation and Technical, and Administrative. During this time, the Museum strengthened its position as an institution dedicated to researching the history of the city. The staff carried out a series of scientific, exhibition, and educational projects that were awarded in regional and national competitions. In 2001, the first issue of the scientific journal Stargardia was published, featuring articles on Stargard, Pomerania, and the lands of the Baltic Sea region.
Director of the Museum from 1997 to 2007
In 2007, Marcin Majewski became the director of the Museum, a position he still holds today. In 2013, the institution underwent another reorganization. From that point on, it began operating as the Archaeological and Historical Museum in Stargard. One of the most significant projects was the completion of the renovation and expansion of the Bastei in 2013, where the permanent exhibition "Stargard – A Place with History. Stargard from the Middle Ages to the 1920s" was opened. In 2022, the archaeological storage facility was opened, housing artifacts from the Stargard area and its surroundings. The Museum continues to carry out intensive exhibition, research, popularization, and publishing activities. In addition to Stargardia, new volumes of the Archaeology of Stargard series and collection catalogs are regularly published. The Museum organizes recurring events that have become an integral part of the city and region's calendar, such as the Historical Festival "In the Land of the Griffin," the Stargard Historical Parade, and the Day of Stargard Pioneers.
As an institution with a long-standing tradition, the Archaeological and Historical Museum in Stargard, through its involvement in various cultural, educational, and scientific activities, continuously strengthens its position as a leading institution in the region. Its work plays a crucial role in preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of Stargard and the Stargard area.