Locomotive used during World War II for the needs of the People’s Liberation Movement
Cannon seized by partisan units and used in the battles for the liberation of Bosanska Krajina
Locomobile used for the needs of the People’s Liberation Movement in Gornji PodgradciZbirke za savremenu istoriju (1941-1990)
The museum collection for the period of contemporary history from 1941 began to be assembled during World War II by the museum's administration at the time. During the existence of socialist Yugoslavia, the focus was on collecting, researching, processing, and exhibiting materials related to the workers’ movement, the People’s Liberation Movement, and socialist development. A large number of diverse museum artifacts were collected during this period. After the breakup of Yugoslavia, the Department of Contemporary History continued its work under changed political and programmatic circumstances.
The entire museum material is categorized into the following collections:
1. Collection of Three-Dimensional Objects
2. Collection of Archival Material
3. Collection of Posters, Proclamations, and Leaflets
4. Collection of Newspapers and Brochures
5. Collection of Memoirs
- Curator Historian
Department of Contemporary History
(World War II 1941-1945 and socialist Yugoslavia 1945-1990)
Collection of Three-Dimensional Objects
This collection includes weapons and military equipment, tools, medical instruments used by the military medical service, seals, as well as communication and navigation devices. For the period of socialist Yugoslavia, the collection includes medals, flags of youth labor brigades, seals, Youth Relay Batons, emblems, and badges. The collection dedicated to the history of the Republic of Srpska was further enriched by donations from Major General Đuro Beronja and later by the Commander of the Air Defense and Air Force of the Army of the Republic of Srpska, Major General Živomir Ninković.
Collection of Archival Materials
Due to its documentary and exhibition value, archival material is, in addition to archives and libraries, also preserved in museums. The Collection of Historical Documents in the Department of Contemporary History of the Museum of the Republic of Srpska contains archival material such as orders, reports, minutes, correspondence, instructions, contracts, passes, receipts, certificates, letters, and other documents.
Ustasha's poster against BolshevismCollection of Posters, Proclamations, and Leaflets
Posters, proclamations, and leaflets are important propaganda tools that, as sources of information, reveal political, economic, or cultural goals as envisioned by their authors. The diverse propaganda material in this collection holds significant documentary and exhibition value.
Collection of Press and Brochures
This collection consists of a large number of press publications, which served as an important propaganda tool, and, as such, were issued by warring sides during World War II, as well as by the communist authorities during the period of socialist Yugoslavia. The preserved brochures are part of the material used for ideological, political, and educational work during the war.
Collection of Memoirs
Memoirs reflect the personal perspectives of individuals on certain events or figures. The Collection of Memoirs in the Department of Contemporary History of the Museum of the Republic of Srpska is not extensive. It consists of the recollections of participants in the worker's movement, the People's Liberation War, and post-war events, primarily from the Banja Luka region.