Kyustendil Regional Historical Museum “Academician Yordan Ivanov”
The history of the museum starts in the middle of the XIX century, when various prominent figures from the Bulgarian Revival period did the first successful steps to research the past of Kyustendil and the region, to collect and archive precious archeological, ethnographic and folklore materials. Among the most famous figures are Georgi Angelov Drumoharski, Peter Tsvetanov Lyubenov, Efrem Karanov, Stoyan Zaimov, Zinovi Poppetrov, Georgi Kolushki and Michail Georgiev-Makedonski. At the beginning of the XX century Yordan Ivanov launched archeological researches near the village of Nevestino, the area of Moshteni (1904- 1906) and Hissurluka (1906- 1912). Professor Gavril Katsarov conducted a research on the excavations of the sanctuary near the village of Kopilovtsi (1911- 1912). The researches and publications of Konstantin Irechek, academician Yordan Ivanov, Efrem Karanov, corresponding member Yordan Zahariev, and others, contributed to the development of the museum works and the establishment of the museum institution in Kyustendil at the beginning of XX century. The first museum in the town, which was endorsed by the Ministry of Education and Culture (prescript 17323), was set up on 3 November 1987. It is the first museum in southwestern Bulgaria and the third school museum in the country after the school museums of Aprilovska High School in Gabrovo and Starazagora men’s three-grade school. On August 6 1944 the school museum turned into a town museum with a gallery. In 1960 it became a county historical museum. Since 1992 it has been named after the renowned scientist Yordan Ivanov. In 2000, with a decree number 153 from 28 July 2000 issued by the Council of Ministers, the museum was transformed in a regional historical museum with headquarters in Kyustendil. Its role was to promote cultural and education activities on the territories of Kyustendil, Pernik, Blagoevgrad. The Kyustendil museum has collections regarding general history and has the following divisions: Archeology, Numismatics, Ethnology, Folklore, Bulgarian History (XV-XIX century), Contemporary History, Cultural Monuments, Library, Scientific Archive, Conservation and Restoration studios, Photographic studio, and Publishing group.
A total of 33 people work at the museum, 25 of which are experts. There is a team of scientists – 1 senior research associate of second degree, 2 research associates of second degree, 3 research associates of third degree. The museum has over 100,000 exhibits. Among the major collections are prehistoric utensils and idol sculptures, unique finds from Thracian mound funerals, collection of ancient bronze and marble sculptures, ornaments, numismatics collection, traditional costumes and textile, prints, handwritten and old printed books. The museum has four permanent expositions: archeological, national liberation fights (XVIII-XIX century), ethnographic (Town lifestyle at the end of XIX century and the beginning of XX century), the house-museum “Dimitur Peshev”- an exposition on the saving of the Bulgarian Jews. The museum had individual exhibitions in Germany, Hungary, Poland, Serbia, etc, and together with other Bulgarian museums it held exhibitions in Japan, USA, Belgium, Finland and others.
