90/90. Around the Museum: A Behind-the-Scenes Exhibition at the Museum of Warsaw

Celebrating its 90th anniversary, the Museum of Warsaw unveils its inner workings and behind-the-scenes operations. The exhibition '90/90. Dookoła muzeum' showcases 90 items, from priceless artifacts to everyday objects essential for the museum's function, alongside stories of its staff throughout its history. Visitors gain insight into the daily life and the diverse elements that constitute this significant cultural institution.

To mark its 90th anniversary, the Museum of Warsaw is opening up its normally inaccessible spaces to visitors through the '90/90. Dookoła muzeum' project. This exhibition offers a unique glimpse into the functioning of one of the capital's key cultural institutions and introduces its dedicated team. From June 19, 2026, to February 1, 2027, the museum will present 90 objects that are integral to its daily operations. These range from invaluable artifacts to seemingly ordinary items crucial for the museum's existence, architectural details, and even characteristic scents that evoke memories of the past. Items on display include a watering can used to maintain exhibition humidity, a manual clicker for visitor counts, essential tools for exhibition caretakers, and anti-corrosion fabric used to protect Warsaw's silverware. The curators emphasize that these are emblems representing the museum in various dimensions, sometimes seriously, sometimes with a touch of humor, chosen collectively by the museum's entire team to illustrate its history and daily work. The '90/90' exhibition is not solely about objects but also about the people who have shaped the Museum of Warsaw over the decades, from its earliest post-war employees to its current staff of nearly 300. Notable figures include Helena Wrona, the first museum attendant, and Professor Janusz Durko, who led the institution for over fifty years. The exhibition also highlights the museum's canine companions, who assist the team in various capacities, from managing contracts to inspecting exhibition spaces. The unique scent of the museum—a blend of wood, wax, dust, and floor polish—is also featured as a sensory narrative element. Visitors will explore less obvious stories, discover hidden corridors and staircases, and gain new perspectives on familiar elements of the museum's architecture, such as the wrought-iron directional arrows designed by Stanisław Żaryn after the war. The project will gradually reveal its narratives, encouraging repeat visits to uncover deeper layers of this extraordinary place. The exhibition is presented in three parts, with the final stories unveiled on November 6, 2026.

The exhibition is priced at 25 PLN for a standard ticket and 18 PLN for a concession ticket. Thursdays offer free admission. Ticketing details and booking information are available via a dedicated link.