Guild History Museum

Counting 56 members in 1807, the first guild in Târgu Secuiesc/Kézdivásárhely – that of the tanner’s – was set up in 1572 during the reign of István Báthory. The boot maker’s charter and the statutes were signed by the reigning prince György Rákóczi the 1st in Alba Iulia/ Gyulafehérvár on the 1st of May, 1638.

The boot makers, together with the shoemakers, were the ones having the entire economy of the town under control. At that time, there was an increased demand for any kind of footwear made of tanned leather; however, it was the milled boots that sold the best. The traditions of the guild were preserved up until 1947.

Furthermore, in terms of guilds and craftsmanship’s, the furriers, the potters, the saddlers and the tailors also had an important part to play in the history of the town.

Hosted by the building of the former Town Council (built in 1857) and operating as a section of the Sekler National Museum, the Guild History Museum was set up in 1972 in Târgu Secuiesc/Kézdivásárhely with the due purpose to outlay the material records of the local craftsmanship.

Both, the collection of the artefacts, as well as the exhibition itself have been initiated and organized by László Incze, teacher of history.