[4] In November 1940, after the Soviet occupation of Estonia began, the museum was closed and its collection moved to the Kiek in de Kök tower.

In 1977, as part of a restoration plan of the Old Town in preparation for the upcoming 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow, the museum was again closed and reopened in April 1981.

[5] Since 1981, its main exhibition has been housed by the Fat Margaret tower.

[4] Fat Margaret (Estonian: Paks Margareeta, also known in German as Dicke Margarethe) was built in the early 16th century (from 1511 to 1530) during the reconstruction of the medieval city gate system.

Apart from being a fortification against would-be invaders to the port of the town, it was also built to impress outside visitors arriving by sea.