In the renovated exposition of the Dauderi Department it is possible to see the living room of Bingner’s villa, work place of Kārlis Ulmanis, learn about the fate of the “Dauderi” house in the Soviet period and becoming a museum in 1990, as well as to see the most outstanding exhibits of Gaidis Graudiņš’ collection.
From 19 November, 2023 new part of the permanent exposition “The (Non)disappearing” heritage” is on display. Wars and changes of political power in Latvia in the 20th century also exposed cultural values to destruction. Each power, depending on the ideology and the brutality, with different methods tried to erase the evidence of previous eras – objects, buildings or the environment. Therefore, the cultural heritage preserved to this day tells not only about its origin, but also about its survival during the 20th century – relocation, hiding, consigning to oblivion, as well as the importance of heritage in strengthening of identity. State symbols – flag, coat of arms, also awards, monuments – most directly embody the state and nation, its self-confidence and the story of history. Therefore, in moments of power change, these embodiments of statehood are the first to be threatened, as each power introduces new symbols to assert its legitimacy. The testimonies representing the interwar Republic of Latvia were destroyed during the Soviet occupation, when this “unwanted heritage” was excluded from the public environment and destroyed. From the most representative items that 1918-1940 confirmed Latvia’s statehood, only a small part has survived to this day.