The Museum of Greek Folk Art was founded in 1918 by the poet Georgios Drosinis, the archaeologist G. Kourouniotis and a group of Athenian intellectuals under the name "Museum of Greek Handicrafts"

In 1923 its name was changed to "National Museum of Decorative Arts".

Until 1973 the museum was housed in the Tzistaraki Mosque in Monastiraki Square.

In 1959 it was renamed into Museum of Greek Folk Art and in 1973 the permanent exhibition and main functions were transferred to the building at Kydathinaion 17 in Plaka.

In 2018 the Museum was renamed into Museum of Modern Greek Culture and in December 2023 the new permanent exhibition opened in Areos 10, Monastiraki.