Folklore Museum of Koumeika “Dimitrios Papaioannou”

The Dimitrios Papaioannou Folklore Museum in Koumeika, Samos, is housed in a traditional Samian mansion of 1880, where the fighter Dimitrios Papaioannou was born and lived. The museum opened to the public in 2010 following an initiative and donation by the Papaioannou family to the Koumeika Cultural Association, which undertook its renovation and operation. Its collection includes traditional costumes, tools, embroidery, household utensils, and photographs that capture the daily life of villagers from the mid‑19th to the mid‑20th century. All exhibits were donated by residents, showcasing local history and cultural identity, while the building itself is a living example of Samos’s traditional architecture. Although it suffered damage in the 2020 earthquake, restoration efforts are underway so it can continue to function as a living cell of folk memory and culture.