The role of the Counts Sierakowski art collection in arranging the permanent exhibition and developing the genius loci of the Polish Gentry Museum at Waplewo Wielkie, a branch of the National Museum in Gdańsk

<ns3:p>The arrangement of the permanent exhibition at the Polish Gentry Museum at Waplewo Wielkie, a branch of the National Museum in Gdańsk, as an attempt to restore the genius loci of the private museum, necessitated research on the art collection once exhibited in the manor house. Only about 20 percent of the old Waplewo collection has survived in Polish museums, and no more than a half of the surviving pieces is in the holdings of the National Museum in Gdańsk, so the task of recreating the former atmosphere was not easy. Three objectives were adopted for the attempt to reconstruct the character of the private museum: to carry out conservation and reconstruction works on elements of the building and interiors of the palace, to launch, in parallel with exhibiting the former collection, an educational programme concerning the functions and appearance of residences of the landed gentry families, and to adapt the building for museum purposes. Efforts are still underway, and the acquisition of further originals from the Sierakowski collection will ensure that the arrangement of the interiors of the Waplewo manor house will gain on authenticity.</ns3:p>