The material civilization studied by the Folklife Museum covers productive activities (farming, livestock rearing, etc.) and processing techniques (weaving, sewing, embroidery, woodwork, metal work, ceramics, etc.) which meet the basic needs of the community for food, shelter and clothing within the context of man's social organization and spiritual and intellectual life.

The collections of the Folklife Museum consist of items from the pre-industrial age in the regions of Macedonia and Thrace. They represent the way of life of the people over the last few centuries, up until the mid-20th century, in both countryside and town. In quantity and variety they are among the richest collections of their kind anywhere in Greece.