The idea of establishing an Ethnographic Museum dates back to the end of 1891. After a quarter of a century, based on the proposal of Stoyu Shishkov who was a teacher, researcher, journalist and publisher, the local administration decided on the establishment of a Regional museum. Its main aim is collecting materials concerning the past and the present of Plovdiv region viewed in historical, economic, artistic and everyday aspect. The museum started its existence on January, 22nd, 1917 when at the Municipal Council (at present Municipality of Plovdiv) a meeting was held and a decision was taken for “establishing a Regional museum run by a Standing committee”. The museum regulations were approved on July, 20th, the same year and according to them the first director was appointed Yordan PopGeorgiev and Stoyu N. Shishkov for a museum secretary.

The years that followed were spent on collecting materials, taking pictures and promotion activities. In 1930 there were over 500 artifacts in the museum. In 1931- 1932, in spite of the well-grounded opposition of Stoyu Shishkov, the administration transferred this modest property to the Public Library and Museum, due to economy reasons. In 1938, following the initiative of the mayor Mr. Bozhidar Zdravkov, the Museum started its second existence: Kuyumdzhieva House, the most impressive house in Plovdiv, was appointed Municipal House Museum.

On 14th October 1943, the new house of the Museum was opened for visitors. In 1949 the Municipal House Museum was renamed National Ethnographic Museum. In 1952 a permanent exhibition was introduced, totally renovated in 1962. Presently, over 40 000 artifacts are divided into the following six stocks: Agriculture, Crafts, Textiles and Clothing, Furniture and Interior, Musical Instruments and Ritual Properties, Works of Fine Art. There are also Photography, Scientific Archives and Library Sections.