“What stories do these walls conceal?” you might wonder about the Országos Színháztörténeti Múzeum és Intézet. This museum is dedicated to preserving Hungary’s rich theatrical history. It also functions as a vital research institute.
The Országos Színháztörténeti Múzeum és Intézet stands as a treasure trove. It safeguards the memories of Hungarian theatre. It supports researchers and theatre professionals. The institute’s central building is located on Krisztina körút. You can find it in Budapest’s first district.
Originally, the building was the Áldássy mansion. Antal Áldássy, a captain from Buda, built the initial single-story structure in the 1840s. It was in a then rural area. Later, the house underwent significant reconstruction. An additional floor was added. The facade was transformed into a classicist style.
Interestingly, Ádám Clark lived here until his death in 1866. He married Áldássy’s daughter, Mária Áldássy.
The Országos Színháztörténeti Múzeum és Intézet was established in November 1952. It was initially named the National Theatre History Museum. In 1954, it moved to its current location. The first permanent exhibition opened that year. It remained open for eight years.
In 1957, the museum became the Theatrical and Film Science Institute. The Hungarian State Film Archive also operated under its umbrella. By 1959, the institute split. The Film Archive became independent. In 1969, the museum was renamed the Hungarian Theatrical Institute. Since 1991, it has been known as the Országos Színháztörténeti Múzeum és Intézet.
Besides its central building, the institute includes the Bajor Gizi Actor Museum. It is located on Stromfeld Aurél Street. It serves as an additional exhibition space for the Országos Színháztörténeti Múzeum és Intézet.
Inside the Országos Színháztörténeti Múzeum és Intézet you can find varied collections. There is a small print and playbill archive. There is also a puppet collection. An archive holds memorabilia. You can explore the photo archive and sound archive. The fine arts and topographical collection awaits you. There is also a manuscript archive. You can view set design and model collections. A dance archive and video archive complete the experience.
The Országos Színháztörténeti Múzeum és Intézet also boasts a specialized library. It holds approximately 65000 items. Its reading room is open to the public. Nearly 1200 books, lexicons and reference books are freely accessible.
From 1953, the institute has managed the Bajor Gizi Actor Museum. Here you can see permanent and temporary exhibitions. The main building hosts temporary exhibitions.
Through museum educational activities, the Országos Színháztörténeti Múzeum és Intézet regularly organizes programs. These cater to different age groups.
The Országos Színháztörténeti Múzeum és Intézet remains a vital place. It preserves and shares Hungary’s theatrical heritage. It also supports ongoing research and learning. It ensures that the stories of the stage continue to resonate for generations.