The museum was founded in 2011 and located at Mēru Manor. Its first owner, Jacob Hecker, built the manor house in 1907 in the Neo-Renaissance style, impressed by late German Mannerism. The beauty of the manor is enhanced by its park that boasts one of Latvia’s largest oaks with the largest crown in the Baltics (30 x 30 m).

Since 2017, the museum offers a display about the medical history of Smiltene District and the origins of the museum as tribute to the contribution of the doctors from the Krūmali family to researching, collecting and preserving the cultural and historical heritage of Smiltene – efforts that laid the foundation for subsequent creation of the museum.

The museum frequently offers different exhibitions. Also, visitors can learn about the history of Birzle Elementary School.