Belgorod (Russia) is mentioned in chronicles from the 13th century. Today it is a modern metropolis with a developed infrastructure. There are several museums in the city, one of them is local history.
History
The State Museum of History and Local Lore (Belgorod) was opened to citizens and guests in 1924 as a branch of the Kursk Museum. The first building in which the institution was located was the former Trinity Monastery for men. In the pre-war years, more than eight thousand exhibits were stored in the museum funds. During the years of the Great Patriotic War, the city fell into occupation, museum values were partially plundered and destroyed.
The restoration of the exposition and funds began immediately after the Victory. It was already possible to open the museum of local lore (Belgorod) in 1948 in a new building on ul. Frunze, house 42. In the early sixties, he received the status of a museum of regional significance. In 1973, all funds moved to the former Transfiguration Church, but already in 1991, after the return of the cathedral to parishioners, a separate building was built for the museum of local lore.
Modernity
The first exhibition in the new territory opened in early 1994. It was dedicated to the native land, its features, history from ancient times to the present. Currently, the museum funds store more than 160 thousand exhibits. The number of visitors is constantly increasing and averages about 80 thousand people a year. The museum building, which was designed by architect V.V. Vishnevsky, has the status of a monument of federal significance.
Museum Collections
The Belgorod State Museum of History and Local Lore has extensive collections of exhibits. A small part is exhibited at thematic stands, a larger number are in the repositories where research is being conducted.
The collection is divided into the following sections:
- Archeology The department stores more than nine thousand objects of material culture, among which are household items, military equipment and weapons, tools that reflect the culture of the peoples (Scythians, Sarmatians, Khazars, Polovtsy, Pre-Slavs, etc.) who inhabited the region from ancient times.
- Bonistics . The funds contain an extensive collection of paper money, bonds, bills and other items in the field of mutual settlements. In total there are more than 2 thousand exhibits.
- Numismatics . One of the largest collections of the museum, which contains more than 11 thousand items. It included both individual coins and numismatic collections. Also presented are several treasures discovered in the region, and commemorative coins currently issued.
- Faleristics . There are about six thousand exhibits in storage. The collection includes awards, medals, commemorative signs, community signs, educational institutions and so on. The time interval of objects covers the period from the 19th century to the present. The collection includes decals and awards belonging to honorary residents of the city.
- Furniture The basis of the memorial exposition is furniture items belonging to the famous actor M. S. Shchepkin. In total, the collection contains 200 items.
- Clothes . The collection includes samples of church vestments, elements of urban, rural, military costume. Headwear, shoes, accessories of different times are presented. In total, the collection contains 600 items.
- Weapons Domestic and foreign models of firearms and cold steel of different centuries. A large collection of items from the Great Patriotic War.
- Natural science materials . The collection (about 6 thousand units) contains representatives of the animal and plant world distributed in the Belgorod region. Of great interest are the extensive collections of insects, birds and so on.
- Ethnography . In this section there are more than 5 thousand exhibits that reflect the characteristics of folk costume, crafts, crafts.
The Museum of Local Lore of Belgorod has collections of items in the sections “philately”, “dishes and household items”, “graphics and paintings”, “icon painting”, “sculpture”, “photo archive”, “rare book”, “archives of documents and printed publications” .
Permanent exhibitions and excursions
Finding out what to see in Belgorod and how to fully capture the history of the region, it is worth contacting the local history museum, where excursions are held:
- Permanent exhibition "Recovering the memory of the past ...". Within 45-60 minutes, the excursionists get acquainted with the history of Belgorod, learn the details of life and life, the cultural characteristics of the local people, give detailed information about the nature and unique representatives of the flora and fauna. With special pride, the guides talk about the native Belgorod residents who glorified the region. Much attention is paid to history during the Great Patriotic War, the restoration of the economy in the postwar years and modern achievements in science, culture, sports and other areas of life.
- "History of the Belgorod region." Covers the period from ancient times to the beginning of the 21st century. The archaeological findings, the construction of the fortress, the formation of the Belgorod province, etc. are examined in detail. The attention is paid to the life of the city and the region at crucial historical moments, such as the First World War, the 1917 Revolution, the Great Patriotic War and the participation of Belgorod citizens in it and much more.
- "Belgorod symbols." During the tour, the specialist talks about the appearance of the coat of arms of the city and the meanings embedded in its symbolism, the heraldry of other cities of the Belgorod Territory does not go unnoticed. The period in question is from the 18th century to the present.
- "The archaeological past of our land." The tour demonstrates objects found in places where ancient people were.
- "The nature of the Belgorod Territory." The review program considers the features of the geographical location, population, flora and fauna of the region. Special attention in the stories of specialists is paid to the nature protection zone - the Belogorye Reserve.
- "The variety of species of plants of the region." The thematic tour will be interesting for students as an additional lesson in biology. Visitors are introduced to local plant samples, places of their growth and features.
- "The diversity of animal species in the Belgorod region." Visitors get acquainted with a complete list of animal species and their populations that live in forests and steppes of the region.
- "Rare and endangered species of plants and animals." Museum guests get acquainted with those species of flora and fauna that are on the verge of extinction, and with the measures that are taken to preserve and reproduce them.
Thematic exhibitions
The Museum of Local Lore (Belgorod) is not only interesting with permanent exhibits. The wax exhibition “Lukomorye” immerses children and adults in the world of fairy tales by A. S. Pushkin. It opened in November and will last until December 11, 2016. Wax figures do not just illustrate the tales of the famous poet. They move and talk. All figures are made in human height, dressed in bright beautiful costumes. Here guests are met by Princess Lebed, an employee of the Balda, Koschey the Immortal and other characters.
In the museum of local lore there is always an answer to the question of what to see in Belgorod. Every year, many exhibitions are held within the walls of the institution. In particular, from November 2016 to February 12, 2017, the exhibition “Crimea is a particle of my Motherland” is held, and until February 28, 2017, visitors are invited to visit the exhibition “Beautiful Heritage of Nature”, which presents a collection of herbariums.
For many expositions, citizens thank the local history museum (Belgorod). The dinosaur exhibition was repeatedly located within the walls of the institution and has always enjoyed success and a large influx of visitors. In 2011, children and adults could personally see the growth models of ancient animals, and at the beginning of 2016 the paleontological exhibition “Traces of the disappeared world” was held, which displayed exhibits found in the Belgorod Territory.
For the smallest
The Belgorod Museum of Local Lore for Preschool Children offers several programs for developing in children an interest in history and love for their native land: “Hello, Museum”, “Love and Know Your Land”. During the lessons, children in a playful way get acquainted with the stories of the homeland, their city and the region as a whole. They learn about animals and plants, heroes of war and peaceful life. The aim of educational programs for the youngest visitors is to familiarize themselves with the cultural heritage, obtain the first knowledge on history, biology, geography and other subjects. Classes are never boring, children learn a lot of new and exciting things.
Educational work
In addition to scientific exhibition activities, the museum conducts active educational work with children and adults, there are several interest clubs:
- “Commandment” is a club of nature lovers, bringing together teachers from schools and universities, students and pupils. The club members see the main task of popularizing the ideas of preserving the natural wealth of their native land.
- "City of Masters" is an organization in which children and adults are told about crafts and modern areas of applied art, master classes are held for everyone.
- "The land of Belgorod is proud of them." At meetings of this club, meetings are held with famous citizens, veterans of the Great Patriotic War, honorary citizens of the city.
- Club "Patriot" (Belgorod, Russia). At traditional meetings, the younger generation of Belgorod residents gets acquainted with law enforcement officials, customs and border services, EMERCOM employees, and former and current military men. The main objective of the club is patriotic education, familiarity with the specifics of difficult, but necessary professions.
- "Triumph". At meetings of this club, participants are told about the achievements of the Belgorod region in industry, agriculture, scientific and sports victories. Veterans of labor are invited, meetings are held with the best specialists in their profession.
Helpful information
How to get to the museum of local lore (Belgorod)? Opening hours: from 10:00 to 19:00, closed on Monday. Address: Popov street, building 2a. Tour arrangements require prior arrangement.
The branch of the museum of local lore - the memorial "In honor of the heroes of the Battle of Kursk" - is located near the village of Yakovlevo. The complex includes: an exhibition hall, a monument in memory of the victims, a mass grave, military equipment and much more. Opening hours - from 09:00 to 19:00, day off - Monday.
The cost of admission for adults is from 32 rubles, for preschoolers, schoolchildren and students, conducting group thematic lessons and excursion services for the group are free. Every first Wednesday of the month for people under the age of 18, the Belgorod State Museum of History and Local Lore provides an opportunity to visit the exhibition halls for free.