Industrial and Technology History Collection at the Jász Museum
The industrial and technology history collection of the Jász Museum preserves material evidence of the Jászság’s economy and everyday life in the 19th and 20th centuries. It focuses on two areas: local aspects of industrial development and the technical devices that transformed work, communication, and leisure in the 20th century.
The industrial section centres on 20th-century industry in Jászberény, above all the legacy of the Lehel Refrigeration Factory. The factory’s collection forms the core of the museum holdings: its products shaped everyday life for generations and played a key role in the town’s development. The museum received its current exhibition building in 1974 with the factory’s support. Beyond finished products, the collection preserves designs, technical documentation, photographs, and press material.
The narrative is complemented by regional items (such as kitchen furniture from the Jászárokszállás cooperative) and by tools from traditional crafts. The technology history section highlights 20th–21st century change through photo and film equipment (including the photographer László Faragó’s set and devices linked to a local film club), as well as radios, televisions, and household electronics. Together, these objects show both the history of local industry and the growing impact of technology on everyday life.