19th century documents and objects belonging to the Ottoman Tanzimat period are displayed in this museum. It was first opened in the Ihlamur Mansion in 1952 and moved to its present location in Gulhane Park just below Topkapi Palace in 1983.

The Tanzimat - Period of Reforms - Museum which was opened in 1952 in Ihlamur Summer Palace was first moved the Cadir Mansion in Yildiz Park in 1969 and then in 1983 to its present location in Gulhane Park where the Ferman of Period of Reforms were announced to public.

Period of Reforms Museum features documents and souvenirs of westernization period between the years of 1839-1876.