Vojta Náprstek Reloaded

The exhibition "Vojta Náprstek Reloaded" commemorates the 200th anniversary of the birth of Vojta Náprstek (1826–1894), one of the most prominent figures of 19th-century Czech society. A native of Prague, originally named Adalbert Fingerhut, he was an entrepreneur, patriot, collector, philanthropist, and advocate of technological progress. After the 1848 revolution, he emigrated to the USA, where he worked as a bookseller and participated in an expedition to the Dakotas. Upon his return, he transformed the house U Halánků into a centre of Czech intellectual life and founded the Czech Industrial Museum, now the Náprstek Museum. The exhibition at the Náprstek Museum of Asian, African, and American cultures presents over 420 artefacts from the collections of the National Museum and borrowed items. One of the highlights is a unique Dakota collection from 1856, among the most valuable records of North American Sioux culture in a European context. The exhibition also traces the transformation of the house U Halánků into a vibrant centre of Czech society, where the American Ladies' Club emerged – a pioneering platform for women's education. Náprstek's fascination with technology permeates the entire exhibition: visitors will see historical household inventions from washing machines to Papin's pot. At the conclusion, visitors encounter an installation dedicated to Vojta and Josefa Náprstek, whose urns are placed here in accordance with their wish to remain forever connected to the place they built. The accompanying programme includes guided tours, children's activities, and a lecture series "A Year with Náprstek". The exhibition runs until 31 December 2027.