About the Museum
Estonian War Museum – General Laidoner Museum is dedicated to the identification, collection, preservation, study and dissemination to the public of artefacts and materials related to the history of Estonian warfare, as well as to military history research and the development of international relations with other relevant institutions. In addition, the War Museum is responsible for all matters relating to war graves in Estonia.
The permanent exhibition and temporary exhibitions of the Estonian War Museum tell stories of the wars fought in Estonia, the service of Estonians and other local people in the armies of other countries and the wars fought elsewhere in the world in which the Estonian people have had to take part.
The Estonian War Museum is housed in Viimsi Manor, which belonged to General Laidoner, Commander in Chief of the Estonian army in the War of Independence. Thus the museum is also dedicated to preserving the legacy of General Laidoner.
The Estonian War Museum has a branch in Tartu: the Museum of the Estonian Military Academy.
The Estonian Military Orchestra is part of the Estonian War Museum, and is responsible for performing at national ceremonies and promoting the culture of military music.
History of the Museum
The Museum of the Estonian War of Independence was founded by the order of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Lieutenant Colonel Johan Laidoner on 19 January 1919. The battles of the War of Independence had lasted barely two months, Tartu had been liberated a few days earlier, and the survival of the Republic of Estonia was far from decided at that point.
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Viimsi Manor
Viimsi Manor was founded in 1471 by the Pirita Monastery. The present main building was built in the 19th century by Count Alexander von Buxhoeveden. In 1923, the Riigikogu donated the manor to General Johan Laidoner for his services in the War of Independence.
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Military museums around Estonia
The Estonian War Museum is the country's largest and oldest museum of military history, but there are also several other places in Estonia where you can explore military history.
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