Marie Skłodowska-Curie Museum in Warsaw

Marie Skłodowska-Curie was an extraordinary woman who made a real breakthrough in physics. She was awarded two Nobel Prizes for her incredible discoveries, and her life was full of eventful activities. The museum in Warsaw tells not only about her professional activities. The exhibitions show her as a person and as a person who interacts with the general and scientific society.

A bit of history

The museum of the world’s most famous female physicist has been in existence since 1967. It was founded by the Polish Chemical Society. The year chosen is not accidental. It was the year 1967 which marked exactly 100 years since the birth of Skłodowska-Curie.

The opening of the museum was accompanied by a ceremony. Maria’s youngest daughter, Eva, and her husband, Henry Richardson Laboiss Jnr., an American politician and diplomat, were the guests of the ceremony. Nine Nobel Prize winners were also present.

The museum is located in a house at 5 Freta Street in one of Warsaw’s most famous neighbourhoods. It has been operating here since December 2014. Before that, the museum was located in the building at Freta 16, where Maria was born in 1867.

Initially, there was a commemorative plaque dedicated to Skłodowska-Curie at number 16. However, the Warsaw Uprising happened in 1944. Many of the buildings were destroyed by the Nazis as part of their plan. The plaque itself survived by a miracle. The destroyed house was rebuilt and the plaque was put back, and a museum was set up there, which was later moved to No. 5.

Maria spent most of her time living in France. However, she kept in touch with her family and visited her native Poland often. The woman physicist passed away in 1934 due to leukaemia. The illness was triggered by constant contact with radioactive elements and harmful chemicals. During her professional career, Maria discovered radium and polonium.

What to see in the museum

The museum collection does not focus on Skłodowska-Curie’s professional activities but rather on her simple life. There are many photos, letters, documents and personal objects on display. You can find not only Marie, but also her husband Pierre Curie’s scientific notes.

Films in Polish, English and French are available for visitors to learn more about the work of the famous person. They detail her life, her scientific hobbies and her incredible discoveries. Special attention is given to Marie’s activities during her residence in France. Emphasis is placed on her participation in scholarly organisations as well as on the founding of the Radia Institutes in both Paris and Warsaw.

Special events are organised at the Museum from time to time. These are both permanent exhibitions and thematic exhibitions. In this way, the activities of Marie Skłodowska-Curie and her incredible discoveries are highlighted, as well as a simple life with family, friends and acquaintances.