František Palacký 1798–1876

The exhibition František Palacký 1798–1876 opened on 1 April 2026 in the Historic Building of the National Museum and runs until 31 August 2026. Created to mark the 150th anniversary of František Palacký's death, the exhibition presents this historian and nation-builder—whom his contemporaries called the Father of the Nation—in a modern way. Visitors enter his world through eight short fictional dialogues between him and a person from 2026, styled as a mobile phone chat. The narrative is complemented by a comic strip capturing key life moments—from youth through scientific work to political engagement—and extensive audio recordings featuring excerpts from Palacký's writings and correspondence. A large-format map of Europe dominates the exhibition space, tracking Palacký's travels and the ethnic composition of Central Europe. Rotating cylinders with period newspapers and simple manual elements evoke 19th-century communication. The exhibition showcases an extensive collection of authentic objects: a thousand books from Palacký's personal library, an original travel trunk from 1823, miniatures and silhouettes of him and his wife Tereza, clothing accessories, spectacles, a card catalogue, a paperweight, and a barometer. For the first time, clothing items belonging to Tereza Palacká and their daughter Marie Riegrová Palacká are presented. The exhibition also includes reproductions of archival materials from Palacký's estate, including drafts of the History of the Czech Nation. The exhibition is accompanied by guided tours with the curators, educational programmes for schools, and a series of seminars for secondary school students and teachers.