The museum bears the name of a collector and art lover from Parthenay, professionally a tinsmith and lamp maker, Georges Turpin; he bequeathed his collections to his native town. They include: Parthenay earthenware, archeological windows, and animated models featuring the sounds and lights of Parthenay. Since August 1993, the museum has been housed at the Maison des Cultures de Pays, close to the Saint-Jacques gateway, in the heart of the medieval quarter. Year-round temporary exhibitions on the ground floor.