In 1903. Władysław Mickiewicz, the eldest son of Adam Mickiewicz and Celina née Szymanowska, founded the first museum dedicated to his father. It was established at the Polish Library in Paris, based on Władysław's extensive collection. The collection included manuscripts inherited from his father, family heirlooms and materials collected over the years. Wladyslaw Mickiewicz, dedicated to promoting the memory of his father, was not only the initiator of the museum, but also its first administrator. He held this function until his death in 1926.

The idea for the museum was probably born as early as the 1880s, when Władysław donated some of his father's documents and portraits to the National Museum in Krakow. However, the exhibition organised on their basis proved disappointing. At the beginning of the 20th century, therefore, the adaptation of a room in the building of the Polish Library at Quai d'Orléans 6 in Paris was begun in order to create a space suitable for the future museum. The opening ceremony took place in 1903, and the institution quickly became an important point of interest for the Parisian Polish community and Poles visiting France.

During the Second World War, part of the collection was evacuated and other items were looted by the Germans. After the war, the museum resumed its activities and its collection was supplemented by new donations.

The surviving pre-war photographs show the interior of the museum, the original exhibition and parts of the collection, some of which no longer exist. The collection included busts, portraits and photographs of Adam Mickiewicz, works of art (prints, paintings), books, furniture and various memorabilia. A particularly interesting object, was the poet's posthumous mask presented in a display case. Photo source: National Digital Archive: (set of photographs from the Illustrated Daily Courier - Illustration Archive).