In 1852 the Franconian aristocrat Hans Freiherr von und zu Aufseß had the idea to found a museum. In it he wanted to show every kind of art and culture, which had anything to do with the Germanic cultural area. The name of the museum also evolved in that time: The Germanic National Museum.
In the 19th century the term „Germanic cultural area“ comprised any region in which German used to be spoken. Against the background of the failed attempt to unify the German states in 1848, the founding of the museum should document the unity of the German cultural area. A very advanced vision - as well politically as culturally. With the foundation of the German Reich in 1871 the Germanic National Museum officially became the state museum of German art and culture. Today it is a very modern museum, which continually develops. As foundation of  public law it is financed by the state of Germany, the free state Bavaria and the city of Nuremberg. It is a member of the Leibnitz Institute and is acknowledged as important extramural research establishment.