Project “SA Narva Muuseum Industrial Heritage Open Storage”

SA Narva Muuseum will establish an Industrial Heritage Open Storage facility at Vestervalli 21, Narva, in order to safeguard and make accessible to the community Estonia’s largest collection of industrial heritage. The project enhances the region’s history and identity during the period of just transition by creating a unique environment where different generations can explore and reinterpret their shared heritage.

The project gives industrial heritage a new life and function. Objects previously kept in closed storage will be brought into public view and transformed into resources for education, research, tourism, and community engagement. This represents an alternative model of heritage use: the collection is no longer merely a set of museum objects, but an active instrument for social cohesion and learning.
The open storage concept itself exemplifies the public-oriented use of heritage. It makes the museum more open, inclusive, and community-centered, directly serving the interests of the region’s residents.
The open storage facility will provide new educational and participatory opportunities for all interested audiences.

Project Team

  • Curator – Head of Collections Department Zurab Jänes
  • Project Manager – Head of Exhibitions Anne Raud
  • Facilities Management and Procurement – Deniss Zimin, Marika Mäekivi
  • Expert Consultant on Conservation Conditions – Maria Väinsar
  • Collection Preparation and Conservation – Collections Technician and Digitisation Specialist Irina Koževina; Collections Manager Galina Smirnova
  • Communication and Marketing – Kristiina Rossman
  • Sales and Tourism Cooperation – Mihhail Duzenko
  • Educational and Community Programmes – Events and Education Department of Narva Museum
  • Financial Governance and Compliance – Julia Bargan

The Industrial Heritage Open Storage project is co-financed by the European Union. The total budget amounts to €138,046.80, of which €96,632.76 (70%) is funded through the Ida-Viru Regional Initiatives measure of the Just Transition Fund, and €41,414.04 is provided as co-financing by Narva Museum.
Project duration: until 31.08.2026.