Identity
The Athens University's History Museum's (AUHM) objective is to assist the scientific community and create a friendly, inspirational environment that addresses education, research, the cultivation of knowledge, and culture. At the same time, AUHM seeks to conserve, preserve, document, and exhibit objects related to the Athens University's history and the history of the Museum's building.

History
AUHM is a unique museum by Greek standards. It tells the story of the beginning of higher education in Greece and the University of Athens, its first University in the capital's historic center. At the same time, it is one of the few university museums worldwide that are addressed not only to the academic community but also to the broader public. The imposing building of AUHM is located in the city's historic center, at the foot of the Acropolis. It is one of the few surviving buildings of the pre-Ottoman period, the residence and workplace of well-known architects Stamatios Kleanthis and Edward Saubert, where they drew up the first urban plans for the newly established capital. In 1837, the University of Athens was inaugurated in that same building and housed there during its first years until 1841. The building was converted into a museum in 1987, guided by the vision of Michalis Stathopoulos (Rector, 1983-1991). From the first years of its operation, AUHM has pioneered the steady development of parallel events open to the general public, both in its interior and the picturesque, uniquely beautiful courtyards. The Museum of History attained a Government Gazette establishment and operation regulation in June 2018. The Museum is part of the Department of Museums and Historical Archives of the Directorate of Public Relations and History of the General Directorate of Personnel and Public Relations, as specified by the Presidential Decree 338/1998 "Directory of administrative services of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens" (Government Gazette 227 A').

Types of audiences
Today, the Athens University History Museum is encouraged to become reintroduced to its public and expand. As it brings up-to-date the work concerning the preservation and conservation of its collections and facilities, it also continuously upgrades its museum practices concerning both clarifying and communicating its collections. At the same time, its strategic policy focuses on new networks and collaborations with other institutions in Greece and abroad; AUHM develops an increasingly modern and extrovert presence. AUHM is directed to the scientific community, young visitors, students from all levels of education, global public, minorities, visitors, both physically-present and remotely. The use of new technologies is one of the Museum's priorities.

Collections & Exhibitions
The collections housed in the historic building of AUHM consist of authentic and rare items, which highlight the beginnings of higher education in Greece, from 1837 (when it was founded with the establishment of the first university of the country at that exact location) until around the middle of the 20th century. Its collections consist of books (manuscripts of University Professors, old and rare editions), texts, letters, diplomas, scientific instruments (medicine, physics, chemistry, pharmacology), photographs, medals, seals, portraits of Professors, and other documents of the University. One of the most important exhibits of the Museum is the first Student Registry (1837 – 1867), the first seals, first textbooks, and rare scientific instruments of the 19th century, as well as the Banner of the University of Athens, designed in 1887 by Nikolaos Gyzis and Georgios Iakovidis. The permanent exhibition is developed on the first and second floors of the building; it exhibits portraits of the professors by prominent artists of the time (rare examples of modern Greek painting), educational manuscripts, photographs from university life, rare scientific instruments, and other artifacts of the University of Athens. The setup and exhibition of the objects are essentially thematic, organized according to the University’s first Schools. In June 2015, a section dedicated to the School of Sciences was inaugurated focused on the Museum’s rare scientific instruments. In November 2016, the building’s history section was inaugurated, and in 2019, during the rectory of Meletios – Athanasios Dimopoulos, its extension was completed with two permanent exhibitions in the building vested by the Ministry of Culture (1998).

Events & Activities
Since its inauguration in 1987 to this day, AUHM has been organizing and continuously hosting scientific conferences, workshops, lectures, classes, festivities, theater and music performances, art exhibitions, etc. At the same time, it organizes a variety of innovative educational programs, activities, and events for schools, families, and the general public. The Museum provides spaces for hosting parallel events, available to legal and individual entities for scientific and artistic activities and social events. In the AUHM building, there is a meeting lounge and a museum shop.

Accessibility
The museum's historic building is not accessible to physically challenged people.

Terms of Operation
The Museum is open to the public: Monday – Friday 09:00 - 16:00. It is closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. The entrance fee is 2 euros for adults and 1 euro for children from 12 to 18 years old. Admission is free for academic community members, the students of the University of Athens, and the unemployed.
Director: Dr. Evangelos Papoulias, Head of the Department of Museums and Historical Archives of the University of Athens

Decision of Establishment
The Museum of History was founded with the no. 2182 Government Gazette of June 12, 2018, (issue B').