In the usual sense, a museum is quiet solemn halls with exhibits, signs “do not touch with hands” and strict inspectors. A completely different concept is offered by the Museum of Forgotten Things in Vologda. Here, visitors become full-fledged guests in a nineteenth-century estate, immersed in the atmosphere and lifestyle of the Russian province.
Vologda for tourists
Vologda is a living textbook on the history of Russia. This city remembers the guardsmen of Ivan the Terrible, the shipbuilders of Peter the Great and the first political exiles of Tsarist Russia. Vologda is the birthplace of the world famous lace and famous butter. And in this provincial town there are many Orthodox churches and cathedrals. Guests can visit the majestic St. Sophia Cathedral, whose frescoes have no analogues in Russia. Here is the existing temple and museum, and the bell tower of St. Sophia Cathedral offers a magnificent view of the city.
All brochures in Vologda must have a photo of the Spaso-Prilutsky Dimitriev Monastery - an ancient architectural monument. Church of the Intercession of the Virgin on the Bargain and the Vologda Kremlin, the House-Museum of Peter the Great and the Vologda Link Museum: this is a small part of the attractions that are worth visiting in the legendary Vologda. The World of Forgotten Things museum with a unique atmosphere and unusual exposure is worthy of special attention.
Museum "World of Forgotten Things"
Museum "World of Forgotten Things" in Vologda is very cozy and homely. This is not surprising, because the main exhibition of the museum consists of the most ordinary household items, whether it is a tea service or a flower stand. And the building itself, in which the museum is located, was once a family nest for the large family of the merchant Panteleev.
The description of the Museum of Forgotten Things in Vologda needs to start with the building, because it has its own unique history. In the mid-nineteenth century, the rich Vologda merchant Dmitry Panteleev built this house for his large family (he had seventeen children). The lifestyle of such a provincial Russian family is well described in the works of the great A.P. Chekhov.
Everything changed with the advent of the revolution. Nobles and merchants were expelled, and the once rich and cheerful merchant's house turned into a large communal apartment for many years. Then there were some state institutions and offices. And only at the end of the twentieth century did the mansion seem to return to its former owners, becoming a museum. By the way, the descendants of the merchant Panteleev really visit here and support the exhibition.
The Museum of Forgotten Things in Vologda is located at: st. Leningradskaya, house 6.
Unusual concept
The main concept of the museum is to create a residential homely atmosphere of the late nineteenth - early twentieth century. There are no classic caretakers, exhibits are not fenced off from visitors, and museum items can be touched.
The Museum of Forgotten Things in Vologda is, in fact, a residential building where guests are invited to tea, arrange home musical and literary evenings, talk about the lives of ordinary people. All this allows you to plunge into the atmosphere of bygone times as much as possible and feel like a hero of the Chekhov play.
Museum expositions
The interiors of the living room, nursery, study and dining room are recreated on the ground floor of the museum. This setting fully reflects the name of the museum, because guests are surrounded by amazing things that were forgotten today: the old gramophone and harmonium, porcelain children's toys and a music box. The names of some objects are even unfamiliar to modern man. For example, under the romantic word “girandole” there is an ordinary candlestick, and the jardinier is a high flower stand.
Antiques fascinate with its beauty and grace. In the nineteenth century, time flowed more slowly, and people were not yet familiar with the concept of stamping. Every thing, from a silver spoon to a mantelpiece, is a piece of art. The uniqueness of the Museum of Forgotten Things in Vologda is that it contains the smallest genuine household items, from a handkerchief to an embroidery hoop. This is what allows you to really feel like visiting time.
On the second floor of the museum is an art gallery. Its peculiarity is that the paintings belong to unknown provincial masters, from which the artistic value of the paintings does not become less. On the contrary, landscapes and portraits are very vibrant and imbued with love for these places and people.
The third floor of the Vologda Museum of Forgotten Things reflects the current active life of the house. It constantly hosts exhibitions of contemporary art, personal vernissages of young artists, creative evenings, Christmas tea parties, music "salons". In addition to paintings, the museum is pleased to hold exhibitions of dolls, children's toys, and ancient costumes.
Within the walls of the museum he regularly puts on his performances "His Theater".
Creative life does not stop here for a minute.
Famous guests of the House Museum
Despite the quiet Vologda provincialism, the museum is often visited by famous people. The employees are proud of their famous guests and friends. The writers Valentin Rasputin and Lyudmila Ulitskaya, actors Viktor Sukhorukov and Igor Kostolevsky left their reviews in museum albums. Museum workers even hosted Pierre Richard.
The ideological mastermind and permanent director of the Museum of the World of Forgotten Things, Tatyana Kasyanenko, is pleased to talk about eminent guests, but calls her main audience. For preschoolers, she personally conducts interesting interactive excursions. Tatyana believes that acquaintance with the traditions of Russian culture through ordinary everyday things will certainly cause interest in children, and therefore will leave its mark in their minds and souls.
