Museum of the Army in Białystok

The Museum of the Army in Białystok, established in September 1968 as a branch of the District Museum and operating as an independent cultural institution since 1976, is located in a historic building at 7 Kilińskiego Street. Its original headquarters, the Guest Palace, quickly proved insufficient for the growing number of exhibits. The museum, which operates on a macroregional scale, conducts research and publishing activities. Its long-term director was Colonel Dr. Zygmunt Kosztyła, who significantly contributed to building the collection. In 2010, Bartłomiej Sadowski took over as director, introducing changes to the exhibitions and initiating the Sybir Memorial Museum project. The museum organizes various permanent and temporary exhibitions, such as those presenting the military history of Podlasie and the Polish Army from 1956 to 2010. The exhibitions are interactive, utilizing multimedia and dioramas that capture visitors' attention. As part of the "Against Two Enemies" exhibition, visitors can see dioramas depicting key events of World War II, such as the defense of the Łomża Infantry Regiment and battles involving soldiers from the region. The "Polish Army 1956–2010" exhibition showcases the evolution of Polish soldiers' uniforms and equipment, focusing on their missions under NATO and the UN. The museum also features a military park where historical military vehicles, such as the T-34-85 tank or howitzers, are displayed, enriching the institution's offerings with architectural and cultural aspects of the region. The Museum of the Army in Białystok plays an important role in commemorating the military history of the region and engages the community in cultural, educational, and research activities. It is worth noting that the museum combines traditional forms of presentation with modern technologies, making it an interesting destination for both tourists and residents of Białystok.