The Tula Antiquities Museum was opened in 1993. He was allocated a building built at the beginning of the XX century. The purpose of the museum: to protect, promote and study the monuments of history and archeology of the region. In 1997, by decision of the city authorities, the Kulikovo Field Museum Reserve was created, which included the Museum of Antiquities.
Museum work format
The archaeological exposition, which lasted for almost 20 years, was closed in 2014. At present, museum staff are presenting to the audience two topics “The Legend of the Mamaev Massacre” and “Secrets of Tula Masters”.
The activity of the Tula Antiquities Museum differs from the classical work of most of these institutions. There are no exhibitions fenced by columns or glass, there are no scenic corners that you can’t enter. There are guides in national costumes who act like good friends. Exhibited exhibits are open for study and use, it is recommended not just to touch them, but to learn how to use them for their intended purpose.
The museum’s work with interactive programs is designed for children and adolescents, although adults spend their time here with pleasure. Museum workers are happy when they come to their families, they invite them to visit the museum regularly. So it’s more interesting for everyone to study step by step the past of their land.
Mamaev battle
The program was opened in 2015 and is designed for age groups from 5 to 12 years. It is not easy to tell the child about this event, about the Mongol-Tatar yoke. Here, the guys in the form of a game get acquainted with the history, the heroes of the Battle of Kulikovo, try to recognize the works of ancient Russian literature.
On the green carpet of the Tula Antiquities Museum there is a Kulikovo field with rivers and streams, hills and trees. A group of guys, crawling on their knees, is building two armies. A knowledgeable person, a guide, manages the construction of wooden, colorful soldiers. The armies are ready for battle; now the battle will unfold in compliance with all historical facts. Did you forget such a history lesson then?
While a group of guys are fighting, their classmates are not sitting idle. Someone is trying on a helmet, someone is busy making chain mail, and the tired ones sat down on a bench, and, putting on their headphones at home, listen to the “music of antiquity”: the ringing of bells, the falconed scream, the hammer blows on the anvil, the neighing of horses.
A variety of specialists worked on such an exposition for three years: historians, psychologists, and artists. They checked the correctness or fallacy of any decision by the reaction of their children.
"Secrets of Tula Masters"
The interactive exhibition was opened in 1999. During this time, many thanks and positive reviews were written to the Tula Antiquities Museum for its work.
In this program, the guys, having overcome temporary space, fall into Tula of the XVI-XVIII centuries. The city of craftsmen, gunsmiths, potters, builders and bakers - they did not know such a Tula.
It is interesting to choose a profession to your liking, to participate in the production process of the Middle Ages. And here the children will not be left face to face with questions and problems. The guides will teach, help, prompt and, together with them, create something of their own.
Here is a hut of a craftsman. You can participate in the game in the residential half. Somehow he lived in such an atmosphere, with such furniture? You need, for example, to cook dinner. Take the pot, do the work, yes, as was customary before. Melt the stove, work with a grip, before sitting at the table.
The basis of the expositions is either genuine things or products copied with high accuracy by local craftsmen for the Tula Antiquities museum. Creative people find something to do in another part of the house. There are two workshops here: pottery and blacksmithing. From clay, you can make a toy or dishes, or maybe try the force on the anvil. And at the end of classes, you can share photos made with your friends at the Tula Antiquities Museum.
