The museum temporarily hosted the sarcophagus of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk from November 21, 1938 until November 10, 1953, during the period of the construction of Anıtkabir, its final resting place.

The place where the sarcophagus stood in the hall is marked, and surrounded by - often very impressive - pictures of the masses attending several ceremonies concerning the transfer from Istanbul and the installation in Ankara.