The Estonian national Museum in Tartu. It was created in 1909 and dedicated to the memory of the famous ethnographer, the famous collector of folklore Jakob Hurt. Initially, the activities of the Museum, bearing the name of the scientist, was aimed at the preservation of its rich collection. But the meeting quickly evolved and has grown to such proportions that the Museum was renamed just Estonian.

Initially, the Estonian Museum was housed in several rooms, which were provided by the authorities of Tartu. After a while Estonia became independent, and, accordingly, the Museum's workers become entitled to expect that the new government will give them due consideration. And really, in the beginning of 1922, the Museum moved in Raadi manor that was once owned by a wealthy family Lyphard.

After placing the Museum in the noble estate had been many complaints from the first of all Estonians, as the Museum exhibition was mainly devoted to peasant culture, and the building Liphard more like a Museum with the art direction. This discrepancy caused a lot of criticism in society. But there was nothing to do, because the Museum does not have sufficient funds for the construction of its own premises. After the great Patriotic war Raadi manor was completely destroyed.

The former courthouse was home to the Estonian Museum, but the permanent exhibition was absent. In 1980-ies the idea of the restoration of the Museum at Raadi manor, but nothing came of it. For many years the Museum was forgotten.

In 1993, the Estonian national Museum has experienced a rebirth. In its property transferred to the former railway club. A year later, the building was completely restored. Opened a permanent exhibition "Estonia. Land, people, culture". A Commission was established and entrusted it to find a decent place for the long-awaited new Museum building. The land selected near Toome hill. Organized a project competition, which won the young architects T. was Tugal and R. Luz. Estonian Parliament decided to begin construction in 2002.

Estonian national Museum is not only artistic, but also scientific meeting. The collection of the Museum, attracting and Western ethnographers, are the basis for the practice of Ethnology at the University of Tartu. When the Foundation Museum staff pay special attention to the ancient monuments of Estonian history, as well as the exhibits telling about the life of ordinary people.

Ethnographers, directly facing a real threat of erosion, and even the complete disappearance of the ancient peasant culture, supplied the main task of the Museum is to preserve everything connected with the history of culture. Namely to preserve archaeological finds of stone tools, iron, bronze, ancient manuscripts, coins, books.

The Museum has a rich library, covering almost everything that was published on the territory of Estonia, the collection of objects of art, and a vast photo archive.

The Museum tells about the history and culture of the Estonian people, but also Finno-Ugric peoples, in particular the Baltic group.

A permanent exhibition tells the story about how everyday life and holidays of Estonian peasants. Several rooms given over to the exposition of the peasant clothes of the XIX - early XX centuries. Installed showcase, where you can see pictures and study the texts that tell us about the changes in Estonian culture, from prehistory to our days.

At the permanent exhibition "Estonia. Land, people, culture collection of wax figures and authentic household items, recreating the folk life of the peasants. Sections of the exhibition acquaint visitors with the life of the peasants on the farm, fishing, hunting, beekeeping. Presented here and Estonian runic calendar.

In short, the Estonian national Museum in Tartu is a unique treasure trove of cultural heritage of the Estonian people.