The memorial museum "Investigative prison of the NKVD" (Tomsk) began its existence on June 13, 1989. It is one of the structural divisions of the Tomsk Regional Museum of Local Lore named after Mikhail Bonifatievich Shatilov. Most often this museum is visited by politicians, journalists and representatives of public life. Therefore, he gained popularity only in certain circles. It is interesting that this museum complex is one of a kind, which has no analogues around the world. The fame of this institution has long gone beyond the borders of the Russian state.
Location
The NKVD Memorial Museum (Tomsk) is located in one of the basements on Lenin Avenue. From 1923 to 1944, it was in this room that the prison of the Tomsk city department of the OGPU – NKVD was located. The adjoining territory was used as a courtyard, where prisoners breathed fresh air from time to time. Currently, this area is occupied by the Square of Memory. During 1992-2004, monuments dedicated to the victims of repression were erected in this square. Today, the NKVD Museum-Prison (Tomsk) looks like a finished architectural ensemble, which, moreover, is a memorial. This place is of great importance for the historical memory of the city of Tomsk.
Expositions
The exposition in the museum is permanent. Here you can observe the reconstruction of prison corridors and cells for prisoners. It is also possible to look into the office of the investigator.
The space of the museum is divided into four zones where you can see different expositions, united by one theme.
There are also several personal stands that display the history of famous and talented people who spent the last days of their lives in these walls. The exhibits are a huge number of documents, photographs, crafts made by the hands of prisoners.
Museum Life
The museum has a room reserved for the exhibition hall. The administration constantly organizes thematic events of a different plan. It can be various presentations, watching documentaries and other public projects. There are also interesting meetings with students, local historians and other interesting people. After such meetings, everyone makes interesting and necessary conclusions for themselves.
Library
In addition to informative meetings and direct exhibits, guests are invited to visit the library. This is a narrow thematic area. Here you can find rare documents, interesting clippings from newspapers, photographs and even videos. All this will help to delve into the life situations of prison inmates. The library contains more than 200 thousand life stories of people who passed through these walls.
Social work
The NKVD Museum (Tomsk) systematically organizes memory days, doing this together with other public organizations. Similar events are held in order to increase the awareness of modern youth. The museum is trying to attract the attention of young and energetic people who can subsequently continue to implement the administration’s plans. Thus, the publication of various collections, as well as the holding of educational seminars, is increasingly taking place. These events are attended not only by Russian youth, but also by representatives of other countries. All this is very interesting and informative for a person of any age, so among visitors you can observe people of different age categories. Of particular interest is the library, where you can find many interesting stories.
Having visited the Museum of the NKVD (Tomsk), ordinary people remain impressed by what they saw for a long time.
Reviews
Initially, many tourists are skeptical of visiting such establishments. After all, going around cultural attractions should be fun and positive. And what could be pleasant about visiting a prison?
But you just have to take a step to the Museum of the NKVD (Tomsk), as all generally accepted stereotypes are completely destroyed. This place is fascinating from the first second. Many people claim that they have not yet visited a more interesting and exciting tour.
The museum is very easy to get from anywhere in Tomsk, because it is located in the heart of the city.
The prison cells, which today are the main exhibits of the museum, have been preserved almost in their original form. This plunges even more into the special atmosphere of the terrible time of repression. There is a corridor between the chamber rooms, which also presents many interesting exhibits.
The first room is the office in which the investigator worked. A standard set of furniture, a window under the bars, cigarettes and a decanter. When you enter this cell, many feel an eerie feeling. The investigator's mannequin also does not cause positive emotions, but still from such a spectacle is breathtaking.
Pictures immediately pop up before my eyes, as the unfortunate prisoners were left alone with the representative of justice, and what emotions they experienced, knowing exactly their future fate.
On the table are stored the most real criminal cases. Those who are even a little versed in the investigative examination can conclude that in those days, full-fledged investigations were not carried out.
There were no reasons for the arrests, they were not motivated, but almost all prisoners received one sentence - to shoot.
Among the prisoners there were poets, writers and other public figures. Many documents, photographs and even personal belongings of the famous poet Nikolai Klyuyev are presented at a separate stand. The poet was shot for propaganda against the Soviet regime, as well as for writing anti-revolutionary works.
The walls of the prison saw many tragic events. From them blows cold and horror. The whole atmosphere plunges into gloom, shock and even causes a feeling of anxiety.
In another cell, you can see a cross laid out from photographs of prisoners. More than 23,000 innocent people met their death here. Among them are teachers, and writers, and poets, scientists, doctors, and the military.
The most difficult for perception is the third hall. The prisoners were here directly.
You can relieve stress from what you saw in a cozy park located right next to the museum. There are many benches and walkways for walks. But some monuments in the park still remind of the terrible time of persecution and repression.