Tomsk museum of local history studies: the phase of establishment

The article is devoted to the little known aspect of the history of Tomsk regional museum of local history studies during his formative years. It reveals the leading role of M.B. Shatilov as the creator of the Museum. It is underlined that Mikhail Bonifatievitch Shatilov was known as political activist, publicist, and investigator on ethnography. However, there is not enough knowledge of Shatilov' museum science. Now we know that Shatilov had good contacts with G.N. Potanin, who had worked in many Siberian museums, and had a good experience in Museum works. Under the influence of Potanin Shatilov formed his ideas about museums as public and science institutions. As the head of Tomsk regional museum, M.B. Shatilov was able to realize museological ideas. The article shows that Shatilov could fulfil all kinds of Museum work. He was involved in a fund work, held large expeditions on the Tomsk province / okrug. He delivered good ethnographic, archaeological materials, and they still represent one of the great value of Tomsk Museum. M.B. Shatilov added written sources to Museum, so he laid the foundations of the Museum archive. Shatilov arranged with Central Russian museums about gifts. Paintings, vases and other objects were delivered from Hermitage Museum, Porcelain Museum, and Tretyakov Gallery in Tomsk Museum. It should be note that M.B. Shatilov participated in processing of incoming collections; he compiled record cards of museum objects by himself. We can say that the main Shatilov' contribution to the formation of Tomsk Museum was his working out of the exhibition. The making of art department had the great importance in the museum exhibition; it was used ensemble method of exposure. There were presented home interiors of Tomsk gold manufacturer Astashev (as it is known, the Museum occupies Astashev' house). The arrangement of paintings reflected the artistic trends; they included the works of European artists, Russian futurists, as well as Tomsk authors. The exhibit, created by M.B. Shatilov, was based on original sources and was very interesting. An important role in the organization of Tomsk regional Museum belonged to publishing. M.B. Shatilov produced and published four volumes named as Proceedings of Tomsk regional Museum. These books contain good articles on the history of the Museum, and on specific kinds of Museum work. They can be seen as crucial evidence about works of M.B. Shatilov who needed short time to create one of the largest Siberian Museum.

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