The Historical and Ethnological Society of Greece was founded in 1882 with the aim of collecting and preserving items and written material from modern Greek history. Shortly after its creation, the Historical and Ethnological Society of Greece established the National Historical Museum, which is housed in the Old Parliament Building in Athens. In its permanent exhibition, one can follow the historical evolution of the Greek nation from the Fall of Constantinople to the Ottomans (1453) until World War II. The Lazaros Koundouriotis Historical Mansion in Hydra is a branch of the National Historical Museum.

Lazaros Koundouriotis (1769-1852) was an important political figure in the years immediately before and during the Greek War of Independence of 1821. His affable character, his political abilities, his wealth and his overall authority over the Greek politicians and military men were of great importance. He brought his good sense and administrative skills to the public affairs in Hydra, but never officially served in any office. Along with his brother Georgios (1782-1858) another political figure of the Greek War of Independence and of the first years of the newly founded Greek State, both fully supported the struggle and sacrificed their family’s fortune to strengthen the Greek naval force. Lazaros Koundouriotis was highly respected not only by his fellow-islanders but also by the whole Greek nation.