[2] The department maintains and compiles the Registry of Cultural Property list.

[3] After the restoration of an independent Lithuania, systematic protection of objects of cultural heritage was initiated in 1919 when the State Archaeological Commission was established.

In 1936, after the adoption of the Law on the Vytautas the Great Museum of Culture, the office of the Conservator of Monuments of Lithuania was created.

In 1940, the Office for the Protection of Cultural Monuments was established to take inventory of cultural property in nationalised estates and hand it over to museums; however, the outbreak of World War II stopped its activities.

In 1961, the first list of architectural monuments of national importance was approved, and in 1972, lists of archaeological, historical, architectural, urban planning, and fine arts monuments of national and local importance were approved, comprising almost 10,000 objects.