Vankóné Dudás Juli Emlékház

The Vankóné Dudás Juli Memorial House in Galgamácsa is the only museum of the village, housed in a peasant house built in 1905. The exhibition contains the tradition of Vankóné Dudás Juli (1919–1984), who initiated the creation of the museum, her colorful attire, paintings depicting the year's holidays and notable events; alongside the works of the naïve painter, objects characteristic of peasant life are also displayed in the memorial house. The professional work of the village museum collection was previously inspected by the Aszódi Petőfi Museum, which supervises the village museums of Galgamente.

The building

The building that houses the exhibition is located in Galgamácsa, on the main street of the settlement, at Petőfi út 7; it was built in 1905. It is a longitudinal, timber-frame building with projecting board cladding and a tiled roof, in which wooden columns with sawed board decoration support the beam structure that protrudes over the porch. The building and the porch had a curved earth floor, which was covered with brick during a renovation. The house with a timber-beamed ceiling has a foundation partly of stone, and its rising walls are made of wattle and daub.

The building was constructed and inhabited for a long time by the Kurucz family. They were well-to-do middle peasants who owned 15–20 hold of land; the builder’s son was once appointed the village judge. On the estate extending to the Kisnémedi stream there was a kitchen garden, orchard and a vegetable garden, which were later transformed into an outdoor stage and viewing area. Opposite the main building there are two smaller structures, which previously served as a summer kitchen, cellar and pantry. The cylindrical well’s adjacent furnace was built later and is currently awaiting reconstruction. The shed built next to the well was erected recently for the purpose of storing and presenting various agricultural tools.

The exhibition

In the interior layout of the memorial house the main emphasis is on the works, paintings and painted plates of the local naïve painter Vankóné Dudás Juli (1919–1984). In addition, the museum contains a furnished interior and contemporary household items. In the room formerly used as a horse stable there are portraits of Vankóné Dudás Juli by famous photographers on display. In the former broom shed and the former feed store, agricultural and farming tools are placed. The folk house took the name of the famous folk artist in 1989. The memorial house is open to visitors every year from March 15 to October 31, on Saturdays and Sundays between 14:00 and 18:00. Due to lack of heating, the museum remains closed during the winter period.

Gallery