Zavičajni muzej Vrapče

The genuine human need to document and preserve the memories of the past has generated many cultural goods, which are conserved and bestowed for the benefit of future generations. Under those circumstances, the work performed by the museums has been recognized as indispensable and relevant for the adequate protection of tangible (material) and intangible (non-material) cultural heritage – given that the museums compile, examine, conserve and expose valuable objects. The complexity of the museum profession has been exposed through the representation of the long period of formation and development of the museums as institutions and by presenting the museum divisions. Museums are distinguished primarily by their purpose; by their collections and the visitors they attract. This study has dealt with the purpose and the importance of local museums for their local community. The study consists of a theoretical and a practical part in order to confirm that belief that the theory, which has several disadvantages in this case, is not relevant for performance of the practical part, on condition that there are enough people and means that would enable its instalment. The theoretical part of this study was formed in order to introduce the readers to the standard issues; first of all, when and where did museums become institutions, to which divisions are museums subjected to (including several criteria), as well as the formation and development of „heimat‟, also known as local and ecomuseums. The second part of the study comprises the analysis of the work performed by the local museums and their importance for the local community. This has been presented by creating the notional project “Zavicajni muzej Vrapce” (“Local museum Vrapce”), which incorporates all the segments, necessary for creating this museum, so that it can contribute to the cultural development of its local community. In this study, local museums are categorised as relevant, since their area of activity includes preserving the cultural heritage, as well as the past and the future of the local community.