Vojtěch Náprstek (1826-1894) originally founded the Czech Industrial Museum. It became the centre of the Czech intelligentsia. The museum also collected ethnographic and art collections, which were brought by Náprstek’s friends and travellers from all over the world. After his death, the museum became ethnographic, and after 1946 its focus was exclusively on non-European cultures. The museum’s collections are extremely rich and only a very small part is exhibited in permanent exhibitions (American and Australian cultures in the Prague exhibition building).
In Prague’s U Halánků House, visitors can also use a public library, which offers not only books and periodicals, but also other collections, many of which were founded by Vojta Náprstek. It is a collection of historical photographs, stereoscopic images, period graphics, cut-out books and now also gramophone records. There are also extensive archives of the Náprstek family, travellers and Czechs living abroad. The museum is trying to gradually publish and make accessible all its collections.
In Prague’s U Halánků House, visitors can also use a public library, which offers not only books and periodicals, but also other collections, many of which were founded by Vojta Náprstek. It is a collection of historical photographs, stereoscopic images, period graphics, cut-out books and now also gramophone records. There are also extensive archives of the Náprstek family, travellers and Czechs living abroad. The museum is trying to gradually publish and make accessible all its collections.
