The article deals with the problems faced by Polish museums (especially – ethnographic and regional). The author undertakes the question related to the organizational subordination of museums, as well as problems related to the adoption of the principles of New Museology. She emphasizes the educational role (understood as inculcation of knowledge and the values) of the museum. Unfortunately, the museums are often focused on such activities, which give the opportunity to increase museum attendance. In the further part, the paper is focused on the problem of the “participation in museums”. It is important to study the social environment in which the museum operates and let it`s representation to participate in the museum works and lives. Gene...