Mission Statement

The History Museum is part of the Universalmuseum Joanneum in Graz. It is an archive of objects and a centre of research and education on the history of the Province of Styria.The aim of its collections and activities is to document connections in the field of cultural history, to create an awareness of how Styria came to be and how it has changed over the years, and to arouse enthusiasm for history, especially among younger people.

The following principles are central to our museum team’s understanding of ourselves and the museum:

The History Museum is a museum about people and for people today

History doesn’t just happen; it is a responsibility borne and shared by various social groups and individuals. As our historical interest basically concerns all those people who played an active role in the past, we are attempting today to reach as many people as possible who live in this province or come here as visitors. By tackling relevant topics, establishing a connection to everyday life and current events, and by using a contemporary language and style, we want to help our audience develop an awareness of how the present came to be.

The History Museum has a broad concept of history
We are interested in a wide range of topics including politics and economics, as well as mobility and communication, religion and medicine, architecture and media, fashion, and consumer and leisure culture. Our focus lies on those fundamental questions that have always fascinated people and communities, such as: What view of the world shapes our thinking? How do we organise ourselves as a society? How do we resolve conflicts? How do we deal with innovation?

The History Museum is constantly enhancing its collections
The Cultural History Collection and the Multimedia Collections form the core of our institution. In future, we want to increase the size and elevate the quality of our existing collections. Our collection plan provides information about the guidelines and focuses of our collecting activities.

The History Museum is committed to the regions and Europe
The history of Styria like those of Austria and Europe is a history of its regions. Against this backdrop, we want to make a contribution to the memory of the province which can only be understood locally and within the context of national and European history.

The History Museum is part of a network
We therefore strive to collaborate with other institutions actively involved in the research and teaching of history; with local and national museums; and with associations, collectors, and researchers interested in questions or facets of Styrian history.

The History Museum is onsite, offsite, and online
The word museum not only refers to a place. The History Museum is not only located in Graz at Sackstraße 16; it moves around the region and travels through the province. It is also on the Internet and thus known outside its brick walls.