Ankara Aging Institute 100th Year Museum

Museums are special places where we see the objects, clothing, and artworks made by people who lived in the past. The Ankara Olgunlaşma Enstitüsü 100th Year Museum, much like a time capsule, shows us the handicrafts and culture of the late Ottoman Empire. These artifacts are important for helping us understand how valuable and unique traditional Turkish handicrafts are, many of which are on the verge of disappearing. Let us explore together what is hidden in this museum.

Ankara Olgunlaşma Enstitüsü 100. Yıl Müzesi (Culture Portal)

How Was the Museum Established?

This special museum was established in 1981, the 100th anniversary of the birth of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Türkiye. That is, approximately 44 years ago from today. The museum derives its name from this occasion. With its establishment, the teachers and students of the Ankara Olgunlaşma Enstitüsü aimed to research, preserve, and pass on handicraft traditions to new generations. The majority of the artifacts in the museum were transferred from the Beyoğlu Olgunlaşma Enstitüsü in Istanbul and added to its collection.

Ankara Olgunlaşma Enstitüsü 100. Yıl Müzesi (Culture Portal)

What Types of Artifacts Are Exhibited in the Museum?

This museum houses a rich collection of 1,008 items, typically organized into three main sections.

1. Silver Glow: The first section displays everyday objects and jewelry made of silver. These artifacts were crafted using traditional handicraft techniques such as filigree (working with fine silver threads), ajour (perforated decoration), and enamel. These methods are demanding but yield exceptionally beautiful results.
2. The Eye’s Light of Handwork: The second section features clothing items such as hand-embroidered textiles, yemenis (a type of head covering), and bindallı (traditional garments worn on special occasions). These pieces are ethnographic artifacts that reflect the skill and patience of our mothers and grandmothers. The exhibits are periodically rotated to allow for varied displays.
3. Honor Corner: The third and final section contains photographs of Atatürk and a special area housing the museum’s commemorative journal.

Ankara Olgunlaşma Enstitüsü 100. Yıl Müzesi (Culture Portal)

To Whom Do the Artifacts Belong?

The artifacts displayed in the museum mostly date from the final years of the Ottoman Empire. These items allow us to see how people of that era dressed, what jewelry they wore, and what kinds of objects they had in their homes. For example, by viewing a bindallı dress, we can understand how colorful and detailed special occasions were in the past.