The article presents the history of the collection created by the Dzieduszycki family in Lviv. The collection contains various ethnographic, numismatic and library exhibits, but fi rst and foremost natural exhibits. In the 19th century Count Włodzimierz Dzieduszycki set up the Natural and Ethnographic Museum in Lviv, based on his collection. The paper also contains a description of the museum building and the history of the collection during the 1st and the 2nd World Wars, and in the aftermath of the take over of the museum by the USSR authorities after the shifting of borders in 1945. The activities of people professionally involved in the operation of the Natural Museum in Lviv and their scientifi c relations are also briefl y covered. After 1945 the collection was dispersed - some exhibits are to be found in other museums, while other exhibits are still in their former building. Unfortunately, it is very diffi cult to access them.