Burhaniye Kuva-yi Milliye Culture Museum

History of the Building

The building that houses the Burhaniye Kuva-yi Milliye Culture Museum is known to have been in use since the 18th century. In its earliest period, it served two separate functions: the ground floor hosted the Camlı Kahve, a traditional coffeehouse, while another section operated as a hardware shop. The upper floor functioned as a city hotel, welcoming travelers of the time.

During the Turkish War of Independence, the building played a highly significant role as the headquarters of the Kuva-yi Milliye Movement in Burhaniye. In the years that followed, it served as a Turkish Hearths (Türk Ocağı) building. With the establishment of People’s Houses (Halkevleri) in the 1930s, it was repurposed as a Halkevi. After these institutions were closed, the building became an Askeri Mahfel, a social venue for military personnel—its lower floor operating as a café while the upper floor housed a barber and tailor.

Since 2008, the building has been operating as a private museum affiliated with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, under the supervision of the Balıkesir Kuva-yi Milliye Museum Directorate.

Exhibitions

The Burhaniye Kuva-yi Milliye Culture Museum consists of two main sections: Archaeology and Ethnography.

• Archaeology Section (Ground Floor):
  This area displays numerous artifacts unearthed from the ancient city of Adramytteion and neighboring archaeological sites. The collection offers insight into the region’s rich cultural past, spanning multiple civilizations.
• Ethnography Section (Upper Floor):
  The upper level showcases ethnographic items donated by families from Burhaniye, reflecting the local lifestyle and craftsmanship. Exhibits include traditional clothing, Ottoman-era documents, weapons, photographs, and personal belongings.
  One of the most valuable items in the collection is the rare 1927 Ottoman Turkish first edition of "Nutuk" (The Great Speech) written by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.