The Foundation is housed in the family home of the brothers Spyridon Kosmetos and Nikolaos Fokas-Kosmetatos, who were born in Kefalonia at the end of the 19th century and became all scientists and staff members without being cut off from their birthplace.

The house was completely destroyed by the earthquakes of 1953 and the fire that followed, but it was rebuilt on a smaller scale in 1956, retaining many elements of traditional Kefalonian architecture. The Foundation was founded in 1984 with the tribute of the three brothers. The space is divided into three sections: the collections on the ground floor, the Archives located in the basement and the Secretariat on the floor, while the periodic exhibitions organized by the Foundation are presented every year on the premises.

The Foundation’s collections include Fokas-Kosmetatos’ early 20th century furnishings, lithographs by Joseph Cartwright, Edward Lear and Henry Cook, as well as lithographs with traditional costumes of the Ionian Islands, two flags-heirlooms (of the Ionian State and the Ionian State ) and portraits. The permanent exhibition “The Chronicle of the Currency”, which includes rare coins and banknotes that circulated in the Ionian Islands throughout their historical journey, is hosted in the same space.

The original purpose of the Foundation was to transform the house into a Museum and Art Gallery for the exhibition of their personal collections and, if sufficient resources were available, to publish books related to the Ionian Islands. Gradually, the aims of the Foundation expanded and gained additional pedagogical content. Thus, educational programs and creative employment programs for children are currently being implemented throughout the year, while the Children’s Loan Library is also in operation.

The Foundation also owns the Botanical Garden of Kefalonia, which started operating in 1998 on an area of ​​28 acres and is located east of the city at the end of the New Ring Road. In the garden are typical plants of Mediterranean flora and its activities are mainly educational and environmental.

There is also a Museum Shop, where visitors can buy the Foundation’s publications and various other items.

The Museum is open to the public from May to October, from Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 14:00 (last entrance at 13:30)