The Makó Museum was established in 1950, though the idea of founding one was raised as early as at the end of the 19th century. The museum first operated in a citizen house.

The collection has been gradually growing since the 1960'ies. Collections of region history, ethnography, literary and fine arts were formed. The original building proved too small for the permanently increasing materials. A literary exhibition hall called the Espersit House was furnished in 1979, and the main building of the museum was inaugurated in 1981. After this permanent exhibitions were arranged.

The target area of the museum is the 16 settments that earlier on used to belong to Makó district.