History
The museum, which is today acting within the Estonian Military Academy, was founded in 1994 as the archives of the Estonian Defence League. Since the year 1995, the museum has been functioning at Riia 12, Tartu, on the premises of the historical building of the Estonian Defence League. In 1998 the museum, which acted under the name of War Museum then, was subordinated to the Estonian Defence Forces, instead of the Estonian Defence League, and it started to function as a branch of the Estonian National Defence Forces that had settled in the building. Whereas earlier the emphasis had been laid on the matters related to the Defence League, then since 1998, studying the themes and collecting the materials of the 20th century Estonian Defence Forces were prioritized.

Function
The targets of the Museum of the Estonian Military Academy are the finding out, collecting, preserving, studying and intermediating to the public of the objects and materials connected with the history of Estonian military education; supporting the studies/ provision of military education, which are performed in the educational establishment and promoting the works related to military history. The museum organises different thematic exhibitions and has a permanent exhibition.

Collections
In order to achieve its targets, the museum collects independently and in co-operation with enterprises, organizations and individuals the evidence of the history of Estonian military education (instructional materials, documents, photos, objects, weapons, films, maps, memories, etc.) by means of expositions, purchases, donations, co-operation of correspondents and exchanges. The museum’s badge, photo, object and publication collections contain altogether more than 10,000 items of museum pieces today, only a part of which are simultaneously exhibited.

Contacts and visits

Only scheduled visits
Riia 12, 51010 TARTU
e-mail: kva[at]esm.ee