| Museum hours | Everyday 08:00 – 15:00 |
| Admission | Standart entrance fee : 2€ Seniors :1€ Free entrance for pupils, students, teachers and people with disabilities. |
| Location | 2, Koraes St., 82100, Chios |
| Telephone: | 22710 44246 |
A Legacy of Preservation: The Argenti Folklore Museum, housed within the Koraes Central Public and Historical Library, is a treasure trove of Chios’ cultural heritage. This museum owes its existence to Philip Argenti, who founded the “Argenti Association” to safeguard the island’s folklore and historical artifacts.
A Passion for Preservation Grows: Through his dedication, Philip Argenti not only donated his own collections of historical items and traditional costumes, but also actively purchased additional pieces to enrich the museum’s holdings. His passion even extended to the library itself, where he funded the construction of an entire new floor to accommodate a growing collection of books. This new section officially opened its doors in 1962.
A Family’s Continued Generosity: Following Philip Argenti’s passing in 1974, his son Pantelis further enriched the museum by contributing even more of his father’s books and paintings. This act of generosity solidified the museum’s current impressive collection.
A Journey Through Chios’ Past: Step into the library, and you’ll be greeted by a captivating display of paintings adorning the entrance, staircase, and upper floor corridors. All these artworks, sourced from Philip Argenti’s personal collection, serve as visual narratives of Chios’ history.
Exploring the Depths of Culture: The ground floor offers a glimpse into the lives of prominent figures like Adamantios Koraes (a great benefactor of the library) and Philip Argenti himself. Here, you’ll find busts, coats of arms of Chios families, Koraes’ personal manuscripts and artifacts, medals, and a selection of books and paintings. Venture to the first floor, and you’ll delve into the heart of Chios’ folklore through the museum’s dedicated collection and gallery.
