The Historic and Folk Museum of the Municipality of Karlovasi was founded in 1994. The collections and the exhibits displayed cover a period from the last 30 years of the 19th century up to mid-20th century, approximately 1955, the departing point of development and changes which resulted in actual Samos. The exhibits show both the urban and the rural way of life of the island in this period of time.

If one takes into account that in Karlovasi tannery and tobacco industry were flourishing, it is easy to understand the presence of many elaborated items of great artistic and economic value, as porcelain, carved mirrors, nice sofas and an excellent collection of dresses and costumes of the bourgeoisie of the island. At the same time, it becomes clear the flourishing of the agricultural production too; the visitor will see the traditional loom and the wonderful woven textiles, a nice row table, a kneading trough, several utensils and agricultural tools.