Historical & Ethnological Society of Greece

The Society's collection is currently housed in the National Historical Museum, located in the Old Parliament House on Stadiou Street in Athens. This neoclassical building served as the seat of the Hellenic Parliament from 1875 until 1932. Prior to its transfer to the Old Parliament in 2001, the collection was housed in the main building of the National Technical University. The museum's exhibition spaces utilize the corridors and rooms of the historic parliamentary building, while the great central hall of the National Assembly is used for conferences and events. A branch of the museum has also been organized and operated on the island of Hydra since 2001.

The collection focuses on the period from the fall of Constantinople in 1453 to the Second World War, with a particular emphasis on the Greek Revolution of 1821 and the subsequent establishment of the modern Greek state. Notable holdings include weapons, personal belongings, and memorabilia from historical personalities, as well as historical paintings by Greek and foreign artists. The Society prioritized historical, ethnographic, and folkloric artifacts over ancient antiquities, aiming to reinforce national identity. The collection features a large array of traditional Greek costumes from various regions, manuscripts, and items acquired through the Exhibition of the Monuments of the Holy Struggle in 1884, which significantly contributed to the museum's early holdings.

As the oldest collection of its kind in Greece, the Historical and Ethnological Society of Greece played a crucial role in establishing a national narrative through material culture. The Society's collecting policy was driven by the intent to present objects as 'national monuments' that illustrated historical significance, unbroken continuity, and the cultural representation of the Greek nation. By focusing on the modern era and the War of Independence, the Society distinguished itself from institutions focused on antiquity, thereby shaping the public understanding of modern Greek history. The Society's work laid the foundation for the National Historical Museum, which continues to serve as a primary repository for the nation's modern historical memory.