ABOUT US

The museum’s mission is to be an accessible research and educational institution for the public, dedicated to exploring the history of the Ogre region and educating society, with particular attention to young people. Equally important is the collection, promotion and preservation of the tangible and intangible historical and cultural heritage of the Ogre region, from ancient times to the present day, for future generations.

The museum highlights the region’s cultural heritage, emphasising its uniqueness. By integrating scientific and artistic perspectives into its collection and exhibitions, the museum presents a diverse and contemporary view of the region’s history.
The Ogre History and Art Museum is accessible to all visitors, including people with special needs, and is a friendly and inclusive cultural space. Everyone is welcome, seen, and heard here.

In the Ogre region, nature, people and culture come together. At the museum, we reflect this by developing and delivering diverse programmes.

The museum has two buildings in Ogre — at Brīvības iela 36 and Brīvības iela 2.

Museum Foundation

The need to establish a museum in Ogre was first articulated on October 23, 1980, in Decision No. 231, “On the Organization of a Museum in Ogre”, adopted by the Ogre District Council of People’s Deputies. The decision noted that more than 5,500 museum items had already been collected in the district, documenting its history and cultural figures. It stated that this material provided a basis for creating a permanent scholarly exhibition reflecting the district’s historical events and achievements of the Soviet period.

Referring to this decision, on May 12, 1981, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Latvian SSR and the Council of Ministers of the Latvian SSR adopted Decision No. 269, “On the Establishment of the Ogre History and Art Museum”. The museum was founded on July 1, 1981.

Museum Collection Development and Research

With Order No. 651, “On the Transfer of Exhibits for Permanent Storage”, issued by the Ministry of Culture of the Latvian SSR on December 9, 1981, the museum’s collection began to take shape when the Aizkraukle Museum (then Stučkas Museum) transferred 459 exhibits related to the history of the Ogre District to the newly established Ogre History and Art Museum.

The transferred materials included items documenting the district’s culture, public life, and residents, such as a photograph from the opening of Pārogre railway station in 1931, as well as the “obligatory” Soviet-era additions: a Red Army soldier’s booklet, trousers, blouse, mess kit, and even a photograph of a Korean soldier taken at his service location near the Chinese–Manchurian border in 1945.

Nevertheless, one of the museum’s primary objectives in building its collection was to gather cultural and historical evidence related specifically to Ogre and the populated areas of the Ogre District.

The first exhibition at the museum opened on July 10, 1982, featuring posters by artist Rasma Zaķe and works by members of the Folk Applied Arts Studio “Saiva”. Since then, the museum has regularly organised art and thematic exhibitions.

In the second half of the 1980s, the museum increasingly focused on research into the Ogre resort. Materials were collected on the town’s historical buildings, summer houses, and their owners; personal recollections were recorded; exhibitions were created; and meetings and thematic events were organised. This work continued into the 1990s.

Alongside research into the city’s history, the cultural history of the Ogre District was also explored, including archaeological monuments, school history, churches, manors, parks, taverns, residential and farm buildings, and notable individuals. As a result, the museum has accumulated a rich body of research material on the district’s cultural history. These materials form the basis for exhibitions, publications, lectures, meetings, thematic events, and printed materials.

The Museum Building — From Bank to Museum

From its founding in 1981 until 2009, the museum was located at Kalna prospekts 3 — in a beautiful summer house designed by Teodors Hermanovskis. 2009. At the end of 2009, the museum was forced to relocate to a temporary home in the premises of the Ogre Cultural Center. The museum operated there until 2016, when the municipality acquired and adapted the building at Brīvības iela 36 for museum use.

The building that currently houses the Ogre History and Art Museum was once the Ogre branch of the USSR State Bank. A plot of land for the bank’s construction was allocated in 1966. At that time, a 19th-century, 20. two-storey wooden building stood on the site and was slated for demolition. According to historical documentation, the building was to be demolished “at the expense of the Ogre District Household Services Combine, as the aforementioned building was on the combine’s balance sheet.”

The bank building was constructed according to standard project No. 264-23-2 of the former USSR state banking system and was adapted for the Ogre branch by the Riga office of the Latvian Collective Farm Design Institute “Latkolhozprojekt”. The building of the Ogre branch of the USSR State Bank, including a savings bank, was commissioned at the end of 1970. For many years, a team of around 30 people worked there, providing daily services to the residents and institutions of the Ogre district.

1993. In 1993, the building became the property of JSC “Ogre Commercial Bank”. A year later, in an effort to improve and modernise the bank’s premises, the entrance area and interior were reconstructed. The redesigned entrance reflects the architects’ attempts to soften and modernise the building’s previously monolithic and unexpressive appearance.

In 2007, the Riga Regional Court declared the joint-stock company “Ogre Commercial Bank” to be liquidated. A year later, the building was acquired by JSC “Parex Bank” (later JSC “Citadele Bank”).

2015. In 2015, the Ogre municipality acquired the building, which had stood unoccupied and unheated for several years, with the intention of establishing a museum. In May of the same year, during Museum Night, the building was opened to the public for the first time, hosting exhibitions, concerts, and Museum Night events.

2016. In 2016, interior reconstruction works were carried out to adapt the building to the museum’s needs. Since 2017, the Ogre History and Art Museum has been located in this building.

Museum Directors

Māris Zvaigzne: 1981–1984
Baiba Rītere: 1984–1987
Vladimirs Eihenbaums: 1987–1991
Vita Rinkeviča: 1991–1998
Andris Birznieks: 1998–2002
Iveta Ruskule: 2002–2015
Evija Smiltniece: 2015–2023
Ilze Zariņa: 2023–2024
Jānis Ziņģītis: since November 4, 2024

Jānis Ziņģītis, Director of Ogre History and Art Museum, janis.zingitis@ogresnovads.lv
Elīna Cērpa, Deputy Director for Development and Planning, elina.cerpa@ogresnovads.lv
Ona Simenovska, Museum Methodological Work Manager, ona.simenovska@ogresnovads.lv
Agra Vāvere, Chief Collections Keeper, agra.vavere@ogresnovads.lv
Voldemārs Polis, Collections Keeper, voldemars.polis@ogresnovads.lv
Inese Dreimane, Historian, inese.dreimane@ogresnovads.lv
Kristīne Zaķīte, Historian, kristine.zakite@ogresnovads.lv
Māris Grosbahs, Curator, maris.grosbahs@ogresnovads.lv
Ieva Špakovska, Administrator, ieva.spakovska@ogresnovads.lv
Nils Miķelsons, Head of Facilities, nils.mikelsons@ogresnovads.lv
Ansis Ziņģītis, Exhibition and Display Hall Supervisor, ansis.zingitis@ogresnovads.lv
Linda Vanaga, Exhibition and Display Hall Supervisor, linda.vanaga@ogresnovads.lv
Gunārs Rusiņš, historian, gunars.rusins@ogresnovads.lv
Uldis Veliks, Museum Educator, uldis.veliks@ogresnovads.lv
Guntars Andersons, Facilities Manager, guntars.andersons@ogresnovads.lv
Laura Tuča, Public Relations Specialist, laura.tuca@ogresnovads.lv
Ritvars Jansons, Museum Educator
Liena Subatiņa-Brazeviča, Museum Educator

Museum Building at Brīvības Street 36

Museum Building at Brīvības Street 2

Ogre, Brīvības Street 36, LV-5001
Email: ogresmuzejs@ogresnovads.lv
Tel.: +371 65024345

Ogre, Brīvības Street 2, LV-5001
Email: ogresmuzejs@ogresnovads.lv
Tel.: +371 65022598