The collection was founded in 1979 by Albert Leskowsky, who returned from his studies in Germany with a wealth of instrumental literature and a number of special instruments. After that he immersed himself in the then still living rural lifeon the Great Plains: he met old zither players and instrument makers. These people, recognising Leo's humility and respect for tradition, donated their instruments to him.
The collection was then enriched with historical instruments, pianos, trumpets, cimbaloms, violins, while special donated instruments were brought from different parts of the country. In the second half of the eighties, the collection outgrew the available space and moved to the basement of the Piarist High School. At this time Albert Leskowsky won a large grant from the Soros Foundation to expand the international part of the collection. Leo met legendary instrument makers from all over the world who were happy to donate instruments to the museum and let the collector in on their treasured secrets. The gradual expansion resulted in the need to move again, and in 1992 the Leskowsky Instrument Collection took possession of the property at Zimay u. 6/a and in 1999 the city established the Leskowsky Instrument Collection Public Foundation to manage the collection.
In 2011, the museum building on Zimay Street was renovated thanks to public donations, although space constraints remained a problem. In 2011, the city of Kecskemét decided to renovate the old cinema building on the main street of the city, on Rákóczi út, the Municipal Cinema, with the help of a grant, to house the Leskowsky Musical Instrument Collection and the László Kelemen Chamber Theatre. The renovation was completed in August 2015 and the Instrument Collection opened its doors in November with renewed content. Read about the history and renovation of the Municipal Cinema here.