The National History Museum of Latvia

History of the Museum --

The National History Museum of Latvia, the largest repository of Latvian material culture, was founded in 1869 as the Museum of the Science Committee of the Riga Latvian Society. To enable a better understanding of its foundation and aims, it is necessary to become acquainted with the social setting of Riga more than a century ago.

Introduction

Right up until the 1860s, Riga was a fortified bastion, with its infrastructural and economic development determined by military strategy. It was only following change in strategic considerations, and after dismantling the fortifications, that this ancient trading town developed into an industrial centre with a multi-national population. According to the census of 1867, of the 102 590 citizens 42.9 % were German, 25.1 % Russian and 23.6 % Latvian. Contemporary author Mat_ss Kaudz_te characterized his own national segment of the population as follows: "Until the middle of the last century Latvians did not recognize themselves as such, but referred to themselves as none other as farmer, for this is how they were called by those who seemed to be, or were, the ones above them. And indeed, by occupation and status they were nothing else. Even if the appellation "Latvian" was employed, this was understood to mean farmer, because none imagined that farmer and Latvian were two separate concepts."

The Latvians who had gained prosperity in Riga learned the German language and often denied their ethnic roots. It was not easy to identify their compatriots in the city.

Conditions changed during the latter half of the 19th century following the repeal of discriminatory legislation against farmers. Increasing numbers of Latvians came to Riga and their lifestyles underwent profound changes. The development of a Latvian identity and a growth in its intelligentsia led to an enhanced level of national self-esteem, and Latvians found a need for a social organization to enable purposeful gathering and a venue for cultural recreation, exchange of information and furthering of knowledge.

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