City History Museum, Irkutsk

The City History Museum in Irkutsk holds artifacts, documents about historical buildings, and archaeological finds that document how the city developed over centuries. The collection contains thousands of objects that illuminate different aspects of the city's past.

The museum was founded in 1996, growing from a small city archive into a major institution with extensive collections. Over time it became essential for preserving the material history of Irkutsk and its residents.

The museum displays everyday objects from different periods that show how residents lived and what mattered to them in their daily routines. The exhibits give you a sense of how daily life in the city shifted over time.

Plan enough time to walk through the exhibition halls and examine the details of the objects on display. The central location makes it easy to combine a visit with other sites in the city center.

The collection includes handmade miniature models of Irkutsk's historical buildings that show how the city looked in different eras. These models are especially valuable because they preserve details that are no longer visible on the original structures today.