Vladas Statkevičius Museum in Šilalė: travel spot in Lithuania

Vladas Statkevičius Museum in Šilalė - Šilalė-area memory and Samogitian ethnography

The Vladas Statkevičius Museum in Šilalė is the local-history museum of the Šilalė area, presenting the town's history and the material and spiritual culture of Samogitians. It grew out of a local-history society branch founded in 1962 and in 2006 was named after teacher and local historian Vladas Statkevičius, whose collected material formed the museum's basis. Its collections hold more than 24,000 archaeological, historical, numismatic, and ethnographic exhibits.

Vladas Statkevičius Museum building in central Šilalė

Place

Šilalė District Municipality

Region

Samogitia

Type

district local-history museum of history and ethnography

Address

S. Gaudėšiaus g. 4, Šilalė

Coordinates

55.49060, 22.18140

Visit duration

45-60 minutes

Best time

year-round

Names and variants

Šilalė Museum, Šilalė Area Museum

Vladas Statkevičius Museum in Šilalė: Local History and Ethnography

The Vladas Statkevičius Museum in Šilalė is the Šilalė District municipal local-history museum, telling the story of the town and the material and spiritual culture of the Samogitian area. It is the main museum of the Šilalė region, and its halls host both temporary and educational exhibitions.

The museum collections contain more than 24,000 archaeological, historical, numismatic, and ethnographic exhibits, and the number continues to grow. The central museum operates in Šilalė town centre on S. Gaudėšiaus Street.

Vladas Statkevičius

The museum is named after local historian and teacher Vladas Statkevičius (1911-1999). For ten years he led the council of the Šilalė branch of the Lithuanian Local History Society, travelled through villages recording stories, photographed heritage, collected archaeological finds, and studied old sacred places and burial grounds.

He published more than one hundred articles, and in 1992 issued the monograph Šilališkiai: Darbai ir papročiai (People of Šilalė: Work and Customs). The material collected by Statkevičius formed the museum's foundation, so in 2006 the museum was named after him. This Vladas Statkevičius should not be confused with the dissident of the same name.

Foundation and Exhibitions

The museum's beginning dates to 1962, when a branch of the Lithuanian Local History Society was established in Šilalė; this is considered the museum's founding date. In 1994 it gained the status of Šilalė Area Museum, and in 2006 it received Vladas Statkevičius' name. It is useful to distinguish the two dates: 1962 for foundation and 2006 for naming.

The exhibitions reflect the history and ethnography of Šilalė town and its region, from archaeological finds to rural household life and customs. The museum is more than one building: its divisions include the famous Dionizas Poška Baubliai in Bijotai, Upyna Ethnographic Museum, and Kazimieras Jaunius' granary in Lembas.

Visiting

At the time of research, the museum was open Tuesday-Friday 9:00-17:00 and Saturday 9:00-16:00, and closed Sunday and Monday. Tickets were inexpensive: about 0.50 EUR for adults, 0.30 EUR for school pupils, students, and seniors, with free entry for preschool children and disabled visitors. Check the official page for current hours and prices.

Allow 45-60 minutes for the central exhibition. A trip through the Šilalė area can become a full-day route by adding the Baubliai in Bijotai, the Upyna and Lembas divisions, and nearby hillfort and manor sites.

Vladas Statkevičius Museum in Šilalė: frequently asked questions

Where is the Vladas Statkevičius Museum in Šilalė?

It is in central Šilalė at S. Gaudėšiaus g. 4, Tauragė County. It is a Šilalė District municipal local-history museum with several regional divisions.

Who was Vladas Statkevičius?

He was a teacher and local historian (1911-1999) who led Šilalė local-history work, studied regional sacred places and burial grounds, and collected the material that became the museum's foundation. The museum received his name in 2006.

When was the museum founded?

Its beginning is 1962, when a local-history society branch was established in Šilalė. In 1994 it became an area museum, and in 2006 it was named after Vladas Statkevičius.

What can I see in the museum?

Exhibitions on Šilalė town and regional history and ethnography, with more than 24,000 archaeological, historical, numismatic, and ethnographic exhibits. The museum also includes the Baubliai, Upyna, and Lembas divisions.

What are the opening hours and ticket prices?

At the time of research it was open Tuesday-Friday 9:00-17:00 and Saturday 9:00-16:00, closed Sunday-Monday. Tickets were about 0.30-0.50 EUR, with free entry for preschool children and disabled visitors; check current details.

What should I combine with the visit?

Combine it with the museum divisions: the Baubliai in Bijotai, Upyna and Lembas museums, and Šilalė-area hillforts and manors.