Penza State Museum of Local Lore is located in a two-story building on Krasnaya Street. The former women's diocesan school, built at the beginning of the 20th century, used to place a dormitory for students in its walls. In 1924 it was given to the city museum, which later became a local history museum.
The first museums of Penza
The predecessor of the modern GBUK "Penza State Museum of Local Lore" appeared in the city in 1905. Its creators were representatives of the city intelligentsia, amateur historians who wanted to learn as much as possible about their region. Having received permission to open a museum, the Penza Society of Lovers of Natural History (FIELD) for six years collected, studied, sorted exhibits, forming the museum's funds. The first exhibition opened in 1911.
But Penza had similar institutions even earlier. In the XVIII century, the owner of factories for the production of glass and crystal products A.I. Bakhmetyev created a museum in his production, which displayed artworks made by the best masters. A little later, with money bequeathed to the city of N.D. Seliverstov, was opened an art gallery, the third in a row in the province. By the beginning of the 20th century, several museums were operating in the city under various commissions and committees.
History of the Penza State Museum of Local Lore
By the time the museum was opened, its fund was 105 exhibits, and after four years - more than 22 thousand. The rapid development of the collection was explained by the fact that the inhabitants of Penza, actively participating in the creation of the museum, gave the institution rare exhibits. In addition to collecting, expeditionary activities were carried out, the results of which also became treasures of the museum.
At the beginning of 1920, the collected material was enough to create three departments: archaeological, ethnographic and historical. Later, the city art museum, vivarium and planetarium were included in the museum.
During the war years, the museum not only did not close the doors, it took into its walls evacuated funds from other cities. So, on its territory was located the Museum of I.S. Turgenev and the Museum of Local Lore Orel. Employees continued to conduct educational work, organized exhibitions. After the war, forces were sent to create new exhibits, introduce advanced forms of activity, and expand funds. In the 50s, the number of storage units exceeded 60 thousand.
Modern museum
Over the past years, the Penza State Museum of Local Lore has been conducting research and scientific work non-stop. Museum employees have published many collections, monographs and scientific works. Several generations took part in their creation.
Today the museum does not have a permanent exhibition; it specializes in arranging exhibitions both from its funds and from the vaults of other museums in the country. His collections have grown to 130 thousand units.
The natural science collection has such valuable specimens as fragments of skeletons of dinosaurs of the Mesozoic era, whole skeletons of a mammoth and bison of the Cenozoic era, stuffed animals of modern representatives of the fauna of the region.
In the ethnography department of the Penza State Museum of Local Lore, one of the richest collections in the country of costumes and jewelry of the Russian and Mordovian peoples is presented. Among women's national clothing, there are extremely rare items found during the expedition to the settlements of the region.
Lovers of numismatics show great interest in coins of the times of ancient Russia and Peter the Great, in the Jochid treasures. A collection of awards from different times is presented.
The department of fine art exhibited mainly the work of Penza masters: artists and sculptors. A collection of portraits of Penza governors is widely represented.
In addition, the museum has collections of weapons, furniture and utensils, archaeological finds, photographs and documents.
Work with the population
Reviews about GBUK "Penza State Museum of Local Lore" are mostly positive. The museum is actively working with local residents. Its walls attract people of all ages who are interested in their native land. For young children, game excursions and lessons are organized at the local history school. There they learn the basics of the customs and traditions of their ancestors, get acquainted with the nature and culture of the region.
For schoolchildren, there is a local history club, in which children work with museum materials in the winter and go on expeditions in the summer. Excursions on various topics are being prepared for students. The older generation also attends interest clubs.
Many evenings are devoted to folk festivals, here are celebrated Christmas time, Pancake week, Trinity, Intercession. In February, holidays are held dedicated to the defenders of the Fatherland, in May - Victory Day.
GBUK "Penza State Museum of Local Lore": Krasnaya street, 73.