The Museum was established in 1960 as the Museum of the Labour Movement. After 1989, the content orientation of the Museum changed. Visitors may tour two permanent expositions here. The first is dedicated to significant personalities of the Semily Region.

The second exposition focuses on the traditional craft production and culture of the Horní Pojizeří Region. It is supplemented with a crib and marionettes made by the famous Maizner family of puppet-makers. The Museum regularly organises visual arts exhibitions as well as thematic exhibitions; it is the venue for traditional Christmas and Easter craft fairs.