Iván Nagy genealogist historian founded the museum on 15th March 1891 in Balassagyarmat. The scientist gifted all his possessions to the altar of public affairs. He also donated his library of about 10 thousand volumes to the museum.

The exhibition gives a summary about the paeasant life of the past 100-120 years. Because of the unfavourable natural aptitudes and social conditions, the opportunities of those living here were rather limited. The peasant lifestyle and culture could but slowly change and develop, and as such a good number of old customs were still continued in the 20th century.

Madách Imre was born in January 1823 in Alsósztregova and died therein 1864. He persued his studies in Vác and Pest, then in 1840 he returned to Nógrád. He first became a notary assistant under the supervision of István Sréter, deputy lieutenant of Nógrád. As a brave regional speaker of the opposition party, he soon became known in the political life of the county.