The national museum of natural history at the Bulgarian academy of sciences – 14 years of reconstruction under the leadership of acad. prof. dr ivan kostov 1974 – 1988

With the restoration of its legal independence in 1974, a new stage in the development of the National Museum of Natural History began. From 1974 to 1988, it was led by the noted mineralogist Acad. Prof. Ivan Kostov. Part of the geological, paleontological, botanical and soil collections that were taken out in 1947 have been returned to the museum and its multidisciplinary natural science (and not only zoological) character is restored. From the “Museum” Section of the former Zoological Institute, it became the National Museum of Natural History, which fully lives up to its name. The enrichment of the collections, the construction of new departments and expositions, the growth of the state, the first expeditions in the country and abroad to collect natural specimens and the expansion of its international contacts are presented. His active and versatile work for the natural science education of the population and the importance of the museum as a cultural institution until the last but one year (1989) of the totalitarian rule of Bulgaria are shown.