Its modern history is said to have begun when the bishop of Vilnius, Ignacy Jakub Massalski, planted fruit trees there in the late 18th century.

In the course of creating a family manor, he converted the existing residence into a palace, built the orangery, now known as the Winter Garden (Lithuanian: Žiemos sodas), and re-landscaped the grounds.

The landscaping included cascading ponds, a waterfall, arbors, fountains, sculptures, and parterres.

Recent exhibitions have featured jewelry, ceramics, printed matter of historic interest, and folk costumes.

The museum sponsors concerts, scientific and research projects, holiday specials, a "Tree Feast", and folk dance presentations.