The open air Museum “Old village” Kumrovec was created by the former Director of the Ethnographic Museum in Zagreb by Marian Gushikem. Then he wrote a study on the Kumrovec as the birthplace of the famous political figure of Josip Broz Tito. Was initially restored the house where Tito was born, and later in 1948 in the yard policy was a monument. Within a few years were restoration and gardening and gathering items for home decor.

After that the specialists of the Museum of Zagreb was engaged in restoration works other buildings in the old part of the village of Kumrovec. The work took two years (from 1952 to 1954), they were conducted in strict accordance with the prepared by the researchers of a catalogue of buildings and households old Kumrovec. In 1969 the Museum “Old village” was included in the list of cultural monuments protected by the state.

“The old village” is the only open air Museum in Croatia. The total area of the Museum is 12640 sq. m. the exposition of the Museum includes more than 2,800 exhibits, most of which is on permanent display at the Museum. Just employs 15 permanent ethnographic exhibitions, which represent the traditional way of life, customs and crafts of local residents (abroad XIX - XX centuries).

An important criterion for restorers was the desire to preserve the authenticity of the structure and its ethnographic, historical and architectural value. In the reconstructed Kumrovec left to live several families, village life which is seamlessly woven into the overall appearance of the Museum under the open sky.

You can see traditional buildings and architectural elements of the old villages of Croatia: a two-storey barn (used for storage of household equipment and drying corn, thatched roof, the house, the walls are whitewashed in the traditional technique, etc. Special attention was paid to the landscape, preserving its original form and beauty. In addition to buildings were reconstructed old road and stone bridge. Abandoned land and buildings were purchased by the owners and converted into a utility and a utility room.

The village Museum has for many years opened various schools and courses that introduce people with skills in ancient crafts. Here you can learn how it was done ceramics, wooden toys, as well as to comprehend the secrets of forging various products.