| Abstract [eng] |
The year of 1957 marked not only the beginning of V. Intas’ passionate interest in stones, but also the start of a museum unique in Lithuania and abroad. Its birth was determined by both objective and subjective reasons. To the former one may attribute the special landscape of Skuodas district, to the latter – the personal enthusiasm of V. Intas and his devotion to the idea. The factor determining the birth of the museum was also the rich history of Mosėdis, which created the town’s unique microclimate. Different sources specify different dates as to when the museum was founded. Some say that the year of its birth was 1957, others that it was 1965. The process of creation of the museum and its development can be divided into several stages: a) autumn 1957 – 26 February 1979. The founding of the museum; b) 26 February 1979 – 2000. Official operation of the museum under the management of V. Intas; c) since the year 2000. Operation of the Museum not under the direct management of V. Intas. 1972 marked the beginning of creation of Stone Park along the Bartuva River. This became a real step in the process of creation of the museum. In June 1977 the State Committee for Environment Protection of Lithuanian SSR founded the laboratory for research of Samogitian environment, which became an important step in the process of creating the Mosėdis Stone Museum. This institution was a predecessor of the museum. In February 1979 the Central Committee of the Lithuanian Communist Party considering the popularity and the scientific, cultural and aesthetic value of the park, decided to create the National Stone Museum under the management of National Environment Protection Committee in the town of Mosėdis. V. Intas was appointed its director at which capacity he remained until 29 February 2000. Since then, the unique Stone Museum has acquired international recognition and made this small Samogitian town famous. |
