In order to find out as much information on the historical development of Lithuania, carefully consider the different periods of development of the people and see the archaeological remains, is worth visiting the National Museum of Lithuania. This is the oldest museum was opened in 1855 by the famous collector and researcher of Lithuanian Culture Eustahiem Tyszkiewicz. Once the museum began its work, it has become very popular among Lithuanian citizens, as a museum focused on the history and culture of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.

At the end of the 19th century in museum collections have been collected over 12 thousand exhibits, including a collection of bronze items and products from various countries, graphic, weapons, local archaeological finds, coats of arms of cities ON, Egyptian statues, portraits of famous Radvilllov, Hreptovichey, Chodkiewicz, Sapieha, Slutsk belts, sculpture 15-18 centuries, ancient manuscripts, Japanese, Chinese and Italian fabrics.

After the events of the 1863 uprising, the bulk of museum objects was sent to Moscow, while the rest was placed in the public library of Vilna. Throughout 1866 and 1941 Library and Museum worked in the same building. By 1915, the troops of the Eastern Front in World War I came to Vilna, while the bulk of the exhibits was taken to Russia.

In 1918 Lithuania gained independence. At this time, based on the museum's collections of antiquities, and the scientific community of Lithuania was planned Museum of History and Ethnography. Director Jonas became Basanavičius, which is one of the first to sign the document on the independence of Lithuania. Even after 1919 the city of Vilnius became part of the Commonwealth, and the organization was included in the Vilnius University. Jonas Basanavičius began work on a collection of the future museum's collection. Only the discovery of the cultural monument was delayed due to the occupation of Vilnius Poles. After a while the work took over and finished the museum worker and historian Zhilenas. First, the museum had the name "Lithuanian Museum of History and Ethnography", but later renamed the Museum and was given the name "National Museum of Lithuania."

In 1941, the collection of all the museums of Vilnius Academy of Sciences has decided to take. Museum again became a separate organization only closer to 1952. Then the museum led Vincas Zhilenas. In 1967 the museum was housed in the building of the New Arsenal of the Vilnius castle complex. Already in 1968 it was presented to the main exhibition. Between the 1970s and 1980s throughout Lithuania were found and collected a lot of materials on the history of the country.

All existing collection of the museum is divided and has five unique sections: history, archeology, iconography, numismatics and ethnography .  Currently, the museum has more than eight hundred thousand exhibits, including icons, paintings, dishes, tools, medals, decorations, various coins, clothing and many other items .  Only in this museum can be to observe over the entire history of Lithuania, starting from the occurrence of the Great Duchy of Lithuania and ending with the beginning of World War II .  Since the emergence of the Lithuanian history can delve into the way of life of the Lithuanian people, their everyday side of life - all of this can be found in the ethnographic section of the museum to see the traditions and customs of Lithuanians .  In this section you can see: the original interiors, household items, as well as great works of Lithuanian artists who so carefully passed lifestyles of working peasants, artisans, petty bourgeois in various regions of the country and in a variety of age .

In addition, until now organized an expedition of researchers and the culture of Lithuanians, annual archaeological excavations. The museum has a restoration room, which restored and preserved nearly half of all museum exhibits, which are restored in Lithuania.

Each year the museum is visited by more than 250 thousand people. The museum has a thematic and sightseeing tours, and in 1996 held classes designed for educational program "Knowledge".