After publication in 1926 of Part I of the novel Truth and Justice, many interested in Tammsaare’s stomping ground visited the site. Officially, the museum was opened on January 30, 1958 on the second floor of the house built by the writer’s brother August Hansen. On January 29, 1978, as part of celebrations commemorating the 100th anniversary of the birth of Anton Hansen Tammsaare, the restored building complex was opened to the public. The threshing barn and cowhouse, cottagers’ residential buildings, and perimeter fences were rebuilt and hiking trails were established in the surrounding bogs.
Tammsaare was a highly esteemed author during his lifetime, yet he concealed his true identity and avoided public events. Tammsaare is the first Estonian ever to whom a monument has been erected during their own lifetime. The monument stands 6 km away from the Museum.
On December 4, 2002 Sihtasutus A. H. Tammsaare Muuseum Vargamäel (Foundation A. H. Tammsaare Museum in Vargamäe) was founded. Two other museums are dedicated to A. H. Tammsaare, located at Tallinn Literary Centre, the author’s last residence at Koidula 12A and at Estosadok in Russia at Tammsaare 86, Sochi where the writer spent a few months (May – August) restoring his health in 1912. In addition to a display related to A. H. Tammsaare, the latter museum examines the Estonian exodus of the 1860s and the life and undertakings of Estonian settlers in Krasnaya Polyana.
