Užventis Museum of Regional History

Višinskio g. 1, Dvarčiaus k., Užvenčio sen., Kelmė r. sav., LT-86355

Opening hours:
Tuesdays, Thursdays 14.00-18.00
Wednesdays, Fridays 9.00-13.00
Other times by prior arrangement by phone +370 682 14 008
Email: uzvenciomuziejus@gmail.com
The museum is supervised and visitors are welcomed by Milda Knyzelienė.

The Užventis Museum of Regional History was founded in 1965. Since 1973, the museum has been located in the restored barn of the Užventis Manor. This manor is famous for the fact that the writer Marija Pečkauskaitė-Šatrijos Ragana lived here in 1887-1898. The writer’s best years were spent in this manor, from which she drew inspiration for her most valuable works, such as “Sename dvare” (Old Manor) and “Viktutė” (Little Viktutė). Later on, this manor, which has survived to this day, belonged to Jonas Smilgevičius (1870-1942), a signatory of the Lithuanian Independence Act. The museum’s exhibitions tell the story of these famous people; it also presents material about the history of Užventis. In 2012, the museum building was renovated and the expositions were renewed. The museum offers educational programmes such as “Make your own soap”, “Make a litas”, “A little boat on the Venta river”.

Povilas Višinskis Memorial Museum

Žemaitės g. 7, Ušnėnų k., Užvenčio sen., Kelmė r.sav., LT-86356
Phone +370 427 59 721, +370 619 55 662

Opening hours:
Monday – Friday 11.00-12.00
Other times by prior arrangement by phone +370 619 55 662, +370 427 59 721
The museum is overseen and visitors are welcomed by the great-granddaughter Aldona Janavičienė of Povilas Višinskis.

The museum was opened in 1960 in the homestead of the educator and writer Povilas Višinskis (1875-1906). A memorial exposition has been set up in his birthplace, which also reflects the life and creative path of the writer Žemaitė (1845-1921), who lived in the neighbourhood. The museum exhibits photographs of writers and their books which have been awarded the prize of the Žemaitė Literary Prize established by the Kelme District Municipal Council.

Šaukėnai Museum of Regional History

Judlės g. 1, Šaukėnai village, 86386 Kelmė r.
Phone +370 600 94 335

Opening hours:
Monday – Friday 11.00-14.00
Other times by prior arrangement by phone +370 600 94 335

Alma Meškienė

Šaukėnai Museum of Regional History was founded in 1999. The museum has an exposition introducing the history of the town and the famous people who lived here. The museum exhibits the art works of the painter Valerija Zalensienė, interesting exhibits of folk life and folk crafts. There is an exposition of a farmer’s house. The museum regularly organises exhibitions.

Žalpiai Museum of Local History

Žalpiai, Pakražančiai sen., 86249 Kelmės r.
Phone +370 610 21 966, +370 427 49 541
Head of the museum Alina Žalandauskienė.

Opening hours:
Monday – Friday 16.00-17.00.
Other times by prior arrangement by phone +370 610 21 966

The museum was established in 2006 in the former Žalpiai school building, built in the first years of Lithuanian independence. The museum’s exhibitions are dedicated to Jerome Rall, the first translator of ” The Odyssey” and “The Iliad” by Homerto (1876-1921), Jonas Garalevičius, the organ builder and creator of the first glider in Lithuania (1871-1943) and Kazimieras Ralis, the member of the Lithuanian Constituent Seimas and public figure (1885-1958).