After the Compromise of 1867 it was not difficult to find followers and sponsors for fostering the local history in Székesfehérvár. Not only the tombs of Stephen I., Louis I., Matthias Corvinus and the events in the whole country played a huge role in this. The excavations of Imre Henszlmann uncovered the remains of the royal basilica, which is one of the most important relics of our history.
After some short and enthusiastic preparations the Historical and Archaeological Association of Fejér County and Székesfehérvár held its statutory meeting on the 27th October 1873. The association has had 137 members by that time. The members were mostly local nobles, citizens of prestige, public figures, bishops, clerical members. Among them were Bishop Jácint Rónai, university teacher Béla Czobor and János Károly. The results of the association were linked only to two periods (1873-85; 1892-93), when a very helpful Lord Lieutenant was the head of the county.
