THE ORIGINS The history of the Museum of Paper Money, dates formally from 1981, when the minutes of the Board Meeting recorded the unanimous decision to approve the administrator Dr Alberto Correia de Almeida's suggestion to create a collection of paper currency for the Foundation. The idea behind this suggestion was that every cultural institution, as well as its identity, should always have a characteristic nucleus. Interest in the theme of paper currency had not yet been aroused, so to speak, in Portugal, although abroad, and particularly in the USA and England, it was already the focus of great attention. An example would be that of the Amon Collection: the part that concerned the USA was bought by the American government, which realised its value as national heritage. In England, the existence of a market led to several auctions at the famous auctioneer house, Christie's. We were now in the nineteen-seventies. In Portugal neither the private collectors nor the Central Issuing Bank showed any great interest. Our administrator's proposal therefore seemed innovative and could well serve as the nucleus that would distinguish the FACM within the panorama of Foundations and Museums in Portugal and in Europe. Needles to say, it would also be a great asset at the level of preservation and conservation of paper currency as a symbol of our country's heritage and identity. The Foundation was going through troubled times, with financial restructuring necessary after the devastating effects of the 1974 Revolution and the consequent nationalisation of the banks. The few reservations put forward by the Board of Directors, which was deeply concerned with the inevitable need to reconstruct a solid financial base and a suitable centre, were answered by Dr. Alberto Correia de Almeida's unshakeable conviction that financial restructuring was just as important as the decision to start outlining a strategy that would distinguish the Foundation. Which is exactly what happened. THE COLLECTION From then on, with great persistence and constant searching in Portugal and abroad, Dr Alberto Correia de Almeida was able to gather a remarkable and unique collection. The building Construction of the Museum of Paper Money's installations began in 1994 and the Museum was inaugurated on January 1996 by Dr. Mário Soares, President of the Portuguese Republic at that time. Behind this is a long history involving research, collecting, love and persistence that continues to gather the best currency documents to be found, in the best condition, and constantly improve the collections on show. The same rigorous criteria were demanded when it came to building the exhibition. The exterior architecture is the work of the architect Francisco Figueiredo. The interior project was given to the architect Carlos Vieira Borges, and the responsibility of leading the team that mounted the exhibition was given to Dr. Javier Salgado, a numismatist and economist with published work. The coordination and orientation of the entire team was placed in the hands of Dr. Alberto Correia de Almeida. He also chose Prof. Luís Casanovas to design both the plan for preventive conservation and the project of conservation and preservation with a suitable system of temperature and humidity control. EVOLUTION FROM 1996 TO THE PRESENT In terms of acquisitions (which continue to be made on the Portuguese market and abroad, particularly in Europe) and also in terms of its relations with the public. Bearing in mind its educational role, the Museum of Paper Money has developed an educational service that prepares specific programmes every year for primary and junior teaching with the specific aim of bringing schools closer to the Museum. At the beginning of each academic year, it presents teachers with a programme of activities, drawing attention to what is essential: the benefits of informal education that a visit to the Museum will bring to the students. Apart from the annual programming, the Museum also assesses the programme itself in collaboration with the Faculty of Letters and the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences of the University of Porto. The context of change in which we live means that the Museum's greatest challenge is its relationship with the audiences. In order to have a better understanding of the different kinds of audiences, the educational service is careful when analysing the surveys. The purpose is to identify the visitors and to meet their expectations. Apart from this, the Museum has published books, promoted congresses and lectures and held temporary exhibitions: stamped paper, shares and bonds. As part of the programme of Porto, European Capital of Culture, in 2001, the Museum co-organised an exhibition entitled "The Arts of Money" with the Bank of Portugal and the National Commission for the Euro. In recognition of its important contribution to the process of preparing Portuguese society for the single European currency, it was awarded a medal by the European Union through the National Commission for the Euro. All the work done so far will be shown in a new type of exhibition that is being structured. It is called "Money and Transports". This will be an extension of the Museum and will analyse the relationship between money and transports, in a funny and educational way using interactive techniques. It aims at transforming the visitor from a mere spectator into a participant. The Museum has been represented at conferences in Portugal, Brazil and Barcelona, where at the annual meeting of the ICOM in June 2001 it presented a European project involving Czech and Spanish partners. This project is called Euromint and aims to create an Itinerary of European Mints. This project is not intended to be merely a research project, but it also has touristic and educational aspects. The project has involved the development of pioneering work in the area of "edu-entertainment" with the production of a Cd Rom that is part of the visit to the Museum. In 2001, the Museum of Paper Money became a member of the Portuguese Network of Museums and of the ICOM (International Council of Museums). The Museum is located in Porto, on the Avenida da Boavista and is an integral part of the Foundation's heritage. The Museum has been producing work that is already recognised in Portugal, both for the quality of the team of professionals and for its exhibitions. The Museum of Paper Money is concerned with being open to the entire community and has a tradition of giving its visitors a warm and professional welcome, providing them with a surprising experience that invites them to return.