In the 1960s, a search began for a new location for the Lithuanian Astronomy Observatory. The old Vilnius University Observatory on Čiurlionis Street in Vilnius was affected by city light pollution and contamination. Many potential sites were visited until 1969, when it was decided to build the observatory in the hills of Kulionys village in Molėtai district, surrounded by the horseshoe-shaped Lake Želva. The location was deemed suitable, and construction began that same year. The idea of ethnocosmology was born in Molėtai district, on the Kaldiniai Hills. The main authors of the idea were Dr. Gunaras Kakaras, then head of the Astronomy Observatory, and Dr. Libertas Klimka, an enthusiast of ethnic culture. The intersections between G. Kakaras's astronomy and L. Klimka's ethnology gradually merged, revealing the Lithuanian nation's connections with the sky, the Sun, the Moon, and the stars. This became the beginning of ethnocosmology, both as a concept and as a future museum. At that time, the construction of the Molėtai Astronomy Observatory continued, and the first two telescopes were launched. Despite little advertising, the observatory began to attract tours, groups, and individual visitors. Visitors were interested in what astronomers observed, but deeper questions arose: why do we, small inhabitants of Earth, exist in such a vast Universe? What is the purpose of our existence in such an immensely large Universe? These questions fostered the idea that the observatory should have spaces for people to connect with the Cosmos, see celestial images through telescopes, hear answers to their pressing questions, and form new questions related to the Cosmic world. These ideas were also supported by Juozas Algimantas Krikštopaitis, a physicist who later became a philosopher. In 1978, the Vilnius University Astronomy

Observatory celebrated its 125th anniversary. On L. Klimka's initiative, a public museum was opened in one of the telescope towers of the Molėtai Astronomy Observatory, exhibiting old Vilnius Observatory telescopes and the first ethnographic artifacts reflecting the nation's connection with the Celestial world. To truly realize the idea of ethnocosmology, new spaces and buildings were needed. Upon completing the observatory's residential area, an "astronomical pavilion of special purpose," essentially a museum, was constructed based on architect Vytautas Lisauskas's design. The building's architecture reflects the image of a cosmic world tree, with an underground gallery for the exhibition and a tower leading to the telescope at the top of the hill. In 1989, the museum construction project began, based on the ideas of architects R. Krištapavičius and A. Gudaitis. Construction and reconstruction works were carried out by UAB "Mitnija." On March 15, 1990, the Presidium of the Academy of Sciences established the Ethnocosmology Museum, later managed by the Ministry of Culture and Education, and renamed the Ethnocosmology Center. In 1995, the center was returned to its original name - Lithuanian Museum of Ethnocosmology. In 2007-2008, the museum was reconstructed and modernized under the European Structural Funds support agreement, with a budget of 22.317 million Litas. Modern equipment, including an 80 cm diameter telescope for visitors, was acquired. Since 2008, the museum has been welcoming visitors, offering tours, indoor and outdoor exhibitions, and educational programs. In 2009, the museum was visited by 46,583 people, including 19,688 students. Today, the museum continues to grow and expand, providing a unique opportunity to explore the Cosmic world and the Lithuanian nation's connection with it.