Employees of the Museum of Princes Czartoryski in 1871—1925. Life and activity of museologists in the era of socio-political changes

In 2026, the Library and Museum of the Princes of Czartoryski in Krakow will celebrate the 150th anniversary of its existence. During this long period, the institution witnessed and participated in numerous socio-political transformations, unfortunately usually very difficult for Polish culture. From the beginning, the collection was guarded by curators and a number of other employees, thanks to which the priceless harvest has survived to this day in its essential form. Taking a closer look at the extensive literary legacies of these people preserved in the collection of the Library of the Princes of Czartoryski, the contemporary researcher will see that they had a significant influence on the creation of memory and the social perception of the monuments subordinate to them, and the narratives outlined by the first curators sometimes resonate in the general consciousness to this day. This makes us aware that museums were primarily shaped (and continue to be shaped) by people who, although they remain in the shadows on a daily basis, their contribution is worth remembering. This talk will tell the story of the first three generations of the museum's employees, who contributed most to shaping its appearance during the turn of the century and the revival of the Republic after the conquests.

Mateusz Chramiec, PhD