For a number of years, the Museum of Ethnography operated as an integral part of the Faculty of History, Political Science and International Relations, acting as an ethnographic laboratory. Its main task was to find, collect, preserve and study ethnographic materials, as well as to facilitate the more effective passing of ethnographic practice by students of the faculty. During the museum's activity, the students and teachers of the faculty collected a significant array of antiquities not only from the territories of Chernivtsi region, but also from the neighbouring Ivano-Frankivsk, Ternopil and Khmelnytskyi regions. In addition, it served as a place to store records and reports of ethnographic practice materials, as well as Ukrainian- and Romanian-language scientific literature dedicated to the study of the problems of ethnography and the history of our region.

According to the decision of the Academic Council of CHNU dated September 27, 2021 (protocol No. 10), the Ethnographic Museum was removed from the Faculty of History, Political Science and International Relations. By the same decision, the museum was given a new name, which is valid to this day – the Museum of Ethnography and Ancient History.

With the change of status and name, the museum also changed its location. Currently, it is located in the renovated premises of the 5th building of CHNU (Residence), offices No. 115-116.

The activities of the museum are aimed at preservation, scientific study and rational use at the proper level and in accordance with the requirements of the State Standards for the conditions of storage and accounting of monuments of history and ethnography that have scientific and historical value. In addition, the museum provides an opportunity to use scientific funds in the educational process, as well as in the research work of students, which contributes to the improvement of the quality of training of specialists. It is planned to involve university students in working with funds, exposition, and after its creation, excursion service at the level of volunteering.

Structurally, the Museum of Ethnography and Ancient History is represented by 2 expositions:

• The first one contains archaeological materials, including a fragment of a mammoth bone, flint tools of the Eneolithic era, and samples of ceramics from the Tryplian culture.
• The second exposition is represented by ethnographic materials, the vast majority of which reflect the lifestyle and culture of the population of Northern Bukovyna and Northern Bessarabia. In particular, museum visitors can get acquainted with various elements of folk clothing, samples of ceramics, wood products, agricultural remains and weaving tools, works of decorative and applied arts, items related to calendar rituals, photo documents. 

In general, the museum's funds include more than 1,000 exhibits.