Eesti Rahva Muuseumi majaehituse lugu 1909-1918
The story of building the house of the Estonian National Museum: 1909-1918

Summary/Abstract: The establishing of the Estonian National Museum in 1909 initiated systematic collecting of our cultural heritage as well as the endless fight for proper maintaining conditions. The museum archives started to grow rapidly and already in 1911, first exhibitions were made. As the museum collections grew, it sought new rooms. It seemed economical to build a house suited especially for the needs of a museum. With the argument that exhibiting the collected material would also greatly induce collecting and contributions, a fund for building the house was established instead of spending the money on increasing collections. Further initiative was received after a fire in the house the museum resided in: the funds started to take substantial form. Contributions were received from all over Estonia as well as from Estonians living abroad; a number of contributors were soldiers with patriotic feelings. Major daily newspapers became fund-raising centres where people sent money, and museum parties for raising money for the new house were held. Later, political instability directed people's attention to other problems. Though all kinds of plans were thoroughly discussed, they never were realised. In the end, devaluation reduced the value of the collected money.

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