The desire to set up a science and technology museum in Catalonia dates back to the late 19th century. In 1937, the Republican Autonomous Government issued an order to set up a Catalan industrial museum, in response to this long-standing ambition.
The Civil War and subsequent Franco dictatorship put paid to the project, which was then forgotten up until the late 1970s. At that time, the Association of Industrial Engineers of Catalonia revived the project to found a museum of science and technology, and in 1979 set up the Association of the Museum of Science and Technology and Industrial Archaeology of Catalonia, with the aim of combining their efforts to create the Museum and preserve industrial heritage assets.
In 1981, the Culture Department of the Autonomous Government of Catalonia took up the project, and in 1983 purchased the Aymerich, Amat i Jover factory, a former steam-powered woollen mill in Terrassa, with the aim of using it as the site for the museum, opening the former factory to the public in 1984. The Museums Act of 2 November 1990 declared it a National Museum, and it was established as an autonomous entity. In 1996 the first permanent exhibition, "Enérgeia", opened its doors, and the restoration work on the main hall of the building was completed. A series of permanent exhibitions were subsequently opened to the public over the years ("The Textile Mill", "The Human Body", "The Computer Enigma", etc.).
In 1998, a Decree was issued to create the MNACTEC Territorial Structure, an innovative and unique museum system covering the whole of Catalonia.
In the early 21st century the new entrance to the museum was conditioned, together with the restaurant, access to the terrace and a viewing platform, along with the addition of the photovoltaic wall, a strikingly distinctive object at the time. The Museum Documentation Centre was likewise set up.
In 2014 the Museum lost its own autonomous administrative status, to become part of the new Catalan Cultural Heritage Agency. Since then, new exhibition spaces have been added (Arts Space, MNACTEC Treasures and Made in Catalonia), along with improvements to the organisation of the Territorial Structure and the transfer of the storage rooms to the new location in Cervera.
Key dates in the history of the MNACTEC
1937 Order to create the Commission for the Constitution of the Technical Museum of Catalonia
1977 The Association of Engineers promotes the creation of the museum
1979 Creation of the Association of the Museum of Science and Technology and Industrial Archaeology of Catalonia (AMCTAIC)
1984 Official opening of the Museum of Science and Technology
1990 Granting of National Museum status with Museums Act 17/1990 of Catalonia
1991 Start of educational activities
1996 Inauguration of the permanent exhibition “Energeia”
1996 Start of refurbishment work on the building
1998 Creation of the MNACTEC Territorial Structure
1998 Inauguration of the permanent exhibition "The Textile Factory"
2000 Inauguration of the new museum entrance and reception area
2001 Inauguration of the photovoltaic façade
2012 Inauguration of the permanent exhibition "The Computer Enigma"
2015 Publication of the website Industrial Heritage Map of Catalonia
2016 New exhibit reserve room in Cervera.
2016 Inauguration of the new exhibition area "MNACTEC Treasures"
2017 Start of the participatory Museum on the Street project
2020 Inauguration of the "MNACTEC Radio" studio
2023 Launch of the MNACTEC Channel educational platform
2023 Start of the MNACTEC Bus travelling museum project
