The museum was founded in 1890 at the initiative of, among others, Industriforeningen. A purpose-built building designed by
Vilhelm Klein and located next to Industriforeningen's premises on
City Hall Square was completed in 1894 and opened to the public the following year. The exhibitions were housed in separate galleries, each dedicated to a particular field such as porcelain, faience, silver, furniture, glass and textiles. This arrangement reflected the primary aim of the museum which was to serve as a source of inspiration for craftspeople and manufacturers by highlighting the very best in build quality and design from different ages. In 1926 the museum moved to its current building, the defunct
Frederick's Hospital from 1757, a gift from the banker Emil Glückstadt. The architects
Kaare Klint and
Ivar Bentsen had undertaken the necessary alterations and furnishings. ==Library and archives==