Exhibitions

Clothing has always been a key way for people to express who they are and where they belong. The identity of Pärnu County started to take shape at the end of the 19th century, as the awakening nation began to search for signs of being Estonian. Interestingly, the tradition of wearing traditional clothing faded as national pride grew. By the early 20th century, the Estonian people felt the need to reconnect with their past. They were encouraged to gather and protect their ancestors' heritage. Traditional folk costumes, along with the blue-black-and-white flag, became a symbol of the nation, finding a special place in the hearts of Estonians thanks to the tradition of song and dance festivals. Now, as we prepare for another big festival, it’s time to dust off the clothing chests and closets once more; to look at both the cherished items of our ancestors and the clothing inspired by them.

This exhibition showcases the historical areas of Pärnu County along with the regions added by the recent administrative changes. Clothing pieces from the museum's ethnographic collection are arranged by parish. You may also find complete sets created created in recent years and more modern folk costumes made for local choirs.

On February 23, 1918, at eight o'clock in the evening, the "Manifesto to the People of Estonia", which was also the proclamation of the Republic of Estonia, was read out publicly for the first time from the balcony of the theatre “Endla” in Pärnu. The blue-black-and-white ribbons made for that occasion were the first symbols of the citizens of the Republic of Estonia.

The ribbons were made and distributed by the graduating students of Pärnu Girls' Gymnasium, who represented the pro-Estonian part of the students who remained in place despite the war.

A photographic record of twelve girls gives a face to a major historical event.

The exhibition gives a brief overview of the fate of girls in the newborn Republic of Estonia. We find out who had a short life, who lived to be 93 and saw the Republic restored, who escaped by boat to Sweden, who was deported to Siberia, who became one of the first female lawyers in Estonia and who became a world champion in bridge game.

The history of Estonia's state decorations is an inseparable part of the history of the Republic of Estonia. The first state decoration, of the Cross of Liberty, was instituted on 24 February 1919, the first anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Estonia. 

In 1936, a comprehensive Estonian state decorations system was established by decree of the State Elder. Under this decree, Estonian state decorations also included, in addition to the Cross of Liberty, the Order of the Estonian Red Cross and Order of the Cross of the Eagle. This created an integral but relatively complicated decorations system whose goal was to define more precisely services rendered in the field of national defence as well as for building state structures, and humanitarian services.