Płock Scientific Society
In the mid-15th century, opposite the bishop's residence, at a street leading to the castle, a brick, Gothic canonry was built. It was constructed by Stefan of Miszewo, Warsaw and Płock canon, Chancellor of Warsaw duke Boleslaus IV. Along with the second canonry, the so-called House under the Horns, they are the only Gothic residential buildings which have been preserved to our times. in the restored interior we can admire polychromed ceilings from the 17th century, in two halls on the first floor.
In 1863, lawyer Wojciech Zegrzda, one of organizers of unsuccessful assault on Odwach the January Uprising, committed a suicide here. in the next year, this building, along with other canonries were confiscated by the Russian authorities and sold during auction. in 1908, it was purchased by the Płock Scientific Society
The Society was established in 1820, on the initiative of the chancellor of the Provincial School (today's Małachowianka), Kajetan Morykoni, supported by , among others, Stanisław Kostka Potocki and bishop of Płock , Adam Michał Prażmowski, the first president. The purpose was to popularize development of science and education, gather materials concerning the Płock Land and to prepare monograph of the Płock Province. Along with the library, a historical-natural museum was created. One of members was an outstanding reigonalist, Wincenty Hipolit Gawarecki, the author of numerous historical works. The members of honor were, among others, Bogumił Linde and priest Stanisław Staszic. as a result of reprisal after the fall of the November Uprising, activities were not resumed.
The TNP was reactivated in 1906, owing to, among others, Aleksander Maciesza, priest Tomasz Kowalewski, Aleksander Zaleski and Adam Grabowski. Thanks to gifts, the museum collections and the library were expanding rapidly. in the next year, the TNP received valuable book collection of 25 000 volumes, collected in Skępe by Gustaw Zieliński and transferred by his son, Józef. in 1930, the TNP became the owner of a beautiful, Classicistic building erected one hundred years earlier for Jan Lisiecki by architect Jakub Kubicki. Owing to decoration of the tympanum, it is known as the House under the Providence (Dom pod Opatrznością). It became a place for collections of art, ethnography and historical souvenirs transferred by numerous donors in the created Ignacy Mościcki Museum. After World War 2, separated collections gave rise to the Mazovian Museum in Płock. After transferring the museum to the former abbey, from 1973, the tenement house has been housing the Zielińskis Library of the TNP, being a part of the richest book collections in Mazovia.
The Department of Special Collections has remained in an annex at the old building. It houses the most valuable manuscripts, old prints, including incunables and old documents, graphics and maps. Among the most interesting works the following can be mentioned: "Divine Comedy" by Dante Alighieri from 1487, first edition of "De revolutionibus orbium coelestium" by Nicolas Copernicus from 1543, Statute of Jan Lasko from 1506, Bartosz Paprocki "Herby Królestwa Polskiego" from 1584, or Kazimierz Siemionowicz "Wielka księga artylerii". special attention should be paid to a magnificent collection of 80 graphics by Francisco de Goya called "Caprices", purchased in France by Gustaw Zieliński.
The Płock Scientific Society, one of the oldest institutions of this type in Poland, has been continuing noble ideas of the founders from 1820. Members carry out scientific works in different fields, and in the old building scientific sessions, lectures and popular-scientific meetings and exhibitions are held. in 1997, the Zielińskis Library of the TNP was included in an elite group of 55 libraries forming the National Library Resources.
