The origins of the "Museo Nazionale di Reggio Calabria" dates back to 1882 with the foundation of the "Museo Civico" which, in the new climate of national unity, collected and spread culture to local people by exhibiting paintings, objects of local history and culture, archeological finds, and mementoes of "Il Risorgimento". This formed the "Museo Civico di Reggio", based in the seafront "Palazzo Arcivescovile" and formed of ethnology, medieval art, modern art, "Risorgimento" art and numismatic departments. In 1907 the "Soprintendenza Archeologica della Calabria" was founded under the leadership of the famous archaeologist Paolo Orsi - it carried out intense excavations at Reggio, Locri, and in the main centres of archeological interest in Calabria. After the earthquake of 1908, which destroyed the city, Paolo Orsi suggested the creation of a National Museum, to exhibit objects from state excavations alongside those from Reggio's city collections.