Among the attractions of Irkutsk, this place belongs to the category of must-see, especially if we are talking about the first acquaintance with this Siberian city. In the museum of the history of the city of Irkutsk, you can plunge into the past, see with your own eyes the elements of the lifestyle, life, traditions of its inhabitants at different periods of time.
From the history of the museum
By the standards of museum work, the organization really appeared recently. The date of foundation of the Museum of the History of Irkutsk is January 1996. By decision of the mayor of the city, a small building on Tchaikovsky Street was handed over to him.
Initially, only the history department worked in the museum, the purpose of which was to form a collection of exhibits and organize exhibition activities. The everyday, social, professional life of Irkutsk residents in different years and centuries was chosen as the main topic.
The museum gradually developed, replenished funds. A large contribution to the formation of the museum collection was made by the citizens themselves, enterprises and institutions of Irkutsk.
Later branches began to open, and the main exposition was moved to a building built at the end of the 19th century by the Irkutsk merchant-philanthropist A. M. Sibiryakov.
Museum today: basic information
Currently, the Museum of the History of Irkutsk named after Sibiryakova represents a branched structure, the number of funds of which reaches 101 thousand storage units. The permanent exhibition consists of exhibitions devoted to ethnography and archeology of the region, as well as the life and customs of the inhabitants of Irkutsk in the XVII-XX centuries.
The official address of the Museum of the History of Irkutsk: Frank-Kamenetsky Street, 16 a.
In addition to the main department of history, the structure includes four branches:
- Museum of Urban Life;
- house of crafts;
- military historical center "Soldiers of the Fatherland";
- City Exhibition Center named after V. Rogal.
The museum departments are actively exhibiting and educating, organizing conferences, workshops, and creative meetings. Visitors can take part in museum clubs.
Museum fund
Presentation of all key aspects of the life of Irkutsk residents is a large-scale task that requires constant replenishment and classification of collection funds. Sources of replenishment are targeted collections, transfer of materials and exhibits by enterprises, administrative bodies, public organizations of cities of the Irkutsk region, conducting archaeological and ethnographic expeditions.
The museum funds, including more than 100 thousand exhibits, are located in the main building and on the territory of the Rogal exhibition center.
A number of thematic museum collections have been formed:
- "City government";
- "Komsomol organizations of Irkutsk";
- "Multinational city";
- "Irkutsk species";
- "Siberian photographs";
- "Merchants of Irkutsk";
- “Honorary Citizens”;
- “Irkutsk diocese”;
- "Artists, writers, artists of Irkutsk."
Over the past years, collections of the tea-packing factory, filings of pre-revolutionary periodicals, numismatic and award collections, and much more were transferred to the museum.
Branches
The exhibition center named after V. Rogal opened in 1999 and became the first branch of the museum. On the ground floor of the building in the city center there is a permanent exhibition of the works of the national artist Vitaly Rogal. It also hosts exhibitions of masters of applied art, artists, photographers, students of art schools and creative associations of cities of the Irkutsk region. The center actively interacts with the regional art school, the photographic society of Irkutsk.
The branch "Soldiers of the Fatherland" began its work in February 2004 in order to popularize the military history and patriotic education of youth. Two permanent exhibition halls dedicated to the events of the Great Patriotic War, the history of military institutions of Irkutsk and the participation of Irkutsk residents in the wars of the XIX-XX centuries were opened. The third hall is used for temporary exhibitions from the series “Veteran’s Tips”, “Fates”, “Search Units”.
"Museum of urban life" is located in the building of the estate of the end of the century. The permanent exhibits include "Morals and Life of the Irkutsk People of the XIX-XX Centuries.", "Tea Museum". The latter includes several exhibition complexes: "Tea Way", "Russian Tea Traders", "Traditions of Tea Party", "Tea Packing Factory in Irkutsk" and so on.
The “House of Crafts” unites residents of the Irkutsk Region who are interested in the preservation and development of traditional crafts and folk art. Interacting with the Onyx Association of Masters, the Beresten creative workshop, the potters' artel, the employees of the branch are trying to introduce the younger generation to creative practices. In creative workshops, training is carried out in the following areas: work with birch bark, frame dolls, beadwork, hand weaving, pottery, painting and wood carving, smooth surface, etc.
Scientific work: conferences, lessons, publications
In addition to the main exhibition activities, the Museum of the History of the City of Irkutsk performs the functions of a city scientific and methodological center. On its basis, round tables, conferences, training seminars, educational lectures for children and youth are held. Museum staff conducts active research work, regularly publishing its results.
The scientific and practical conference “My city” has become a traditional event for the museum. It has been held annually since 1997. Pupils interested in local history participate in it. The conference includes sections devoted to the study and popularization of historical and cultural monuments of Irkutsk, national cultures and literary heritage, and environmental events.
Museum employees invite their guests to lectures and local history lessons. Lectures are held there on the archaeological sites of Irkutsk, the history of folk holidays and ceremonies, the Orthodox churches of the region, the history of political exile, merchants, Siberian Cossacks and other interesting topics.
Museum Clubs
Currently, there are four thematic clubs at the Museum of the History of Irkutsk:
- "A meeting";
- Fort Ross
- Club of Honorary Citizens;
- Ballroom dance club "Nostalgia".
The first of these clubs unites victims of mass political repressions and their relatives. Materials and publications collected by club members are housed in a permanent museum exhibition.
Members of the Club of Ballroom Dance Lovers organize thematic balls for citizens, are engaged in the reconstruction of dance costumes of different eras, and participate in the Irkutsk Ball exhibition project.
Fort Ross is an Irkutsk local history youth organization. The goal of the project is to develop the interest of schoolchildren in events related to the history of Russian America.
Exhibitions and thematic events
In early 2019, in addition to the main exposition, the following events were held at the sites of the Museum of the History of Irkutsk:
- An exhibition of graphic works by Polina Kozlova within the framework of the project “Steps of Creativity” (V. Rogal Center);
- "Afghanistan. 30/40 ", an exhibition dedicated to the events of the Afghan war (branch" Soldiers of the Fatherland ");
- Exhibition of applied art of the Kostarnov family;
- “Honorary Citizens of Irkutsk”;
- Exhibition of works by Omsk masters;
- "Irkutsk Chronograph";
- “Seamstress workshop”;
- Exhibition of postcards of the XIX - early XX centuries .;
- A series of workshops "Folk Holidays" (museum of urban life).
Museum of the History of Irkutsk: reviews
The attitude of employees to the business they are involved in has a huge impact on the visitor experience. Among the reviews of the museum of the city of Irkutsk, you can often find comments about the sincere enthusiasm of the guides who infect with their interest and enthusiasm. Many note the high professional level of employees.
Here you can really plunge into the past, learn about people who lived in Irkutsk many decades ago. This is a cozy chamber museum, there are interesting diverse exhibits, polite and attentive staff.
If you are currently in Irkutsk, it's time to evaluate the objectivity of visitor reviews about the Museum of the History of the city.