Description
The main objective of the project was the protection of the Polish national heritage and making it available to future generations and also development, and improvement of the state of the cultural infrastructure and facilitating of Warsaw’s attractiveness both to its residents and tourists. Project includes the revitalisation and revalorisation of 11 historic tenement houses to protect them from destruction. The selected museum collections was subject to conservation and digitisation. The material scope of the project bolstered the attractiveness of the venue to diversified audiences, including disabled people. The new concept of exhibitions showcasing the most interesting collections, positively influenced the increased access to culture. Project partners: Capital City of Warsaw, responsible for drawing up the application documentation and financial settlements related to the project and Icelandic Turf House which co-operation consisted in consulting and expert advices in the field of heritage conservation, designing and installation of exhibitions, participation in seminars and conferences.
Summary of project results
All elements of the project “The Modernization, Conservation and Digitisation of Historical Facilities of the Museum of Warsaw’s Principal Seat at the Old Market Square [Rynek Starego Miasta] in Warsaw” – which serve the intended purposes – have been realized. The effects are: restoration and renewal and modernization of 11 historic tenement houses located on the Old Town Square in Warsaw. The tenement houses have undergone extensive maintenance from the outside and inside with the preservation and exposition of unique architectural details of the decor, e.g. 3 wooden polychrome ceilings from the mid. 17th and the 18th centuries, which are the only ones in Warsaw, due to the mass destruction of the city during World War II. Another result of the project is realization of the 1st stage of the core exhibition and preparation of modern space for temporary exhibitions and adaptation of the whole object and exhibition space for people with different forms of disabilities. In addition, a new installation infrastructure has been introduced in the facility along with a modern security system for objects and collections and people. Exhibits for presentation were preserved and collections of silver and paintings were digitized. The first stage of the exhibition was opened on 25th May 2017 and by the end of July 2017 16 793 people attended the museum. During this time, 57 educational classes were also conducted and a reading room, a museum cinema and a museum bookstore were opened for visitors. In addition, there is a new website of the Museum, which presents the digitized collections.
Summary of bilateral results
Among the most important project results are exchange of knowledge and experience between partner institutions. Study trips to Norway and Warsaw allowed to recognize profiles and functioning of both partner museums. It was a space for discussion about the role of museum and its collections in contemporary societies. Also practical issues, like conservations or storing were discussed. Debate on all of problems mentioned above had its continuation during the seminar in Warsaw that was open to public. Representatives of both partner museums, as well as other experts in museology, were presenting their thoughts or research results related with the topic of „things in the museum”. Problems of collecting, conservating, preserving and exhibiting were adressed. Video recordings of these presentations (with translations in captions) are published on the website of the project (
http://muzeumwarszawy.pl/dzialalnosc-naukowa/rzeczy-w-muzeum/). It gets the knowledge presented, but also discussions during the meeting available for wider public. There are to other study trips planned: in Warsaw after opening the second part of main exhibition „Things of Warsaw” and in Bergen after the opening of new exhibition in University Museum, devoted to the natural history. We would like to continue the exchange of knowlegde and experience in subject of museology and perhaps develope a new conference or publication project in future.