Charity in Tomsk during the Revolution and Civil war (1917-1919)

The authors of article note the inattention of researchers to study philanthropy during the Revolution and Civil war in Siberia. Using of archival materials and periodicals the authors can reveal changes in charitable activities in Tomsk in 1917-1919. Those changes reflected historical circumstances. First, it was strengthening the role of the State in providing assistance to the poor and needy. Secondly, we can see the narrowing of wealthy citizens, capable of philanthropy. Nevertheless, Tomsk citizens continued charitable support institutions in the social sphere, culture and education. For example, Tomsk Jewish orphanage was found on private donations in 1917. Tomsk merchant Kukhterin financed a shelter for children whose fathers were killed on the battlefields. Circle of clergywomen collected funds for the orphanage for children of Tomsk priests killed at the front. Donations of townspeople allowed the opening of Siberian Folk Conservatory in August of 1917. Later, in 1919, there were collected funds for the device in Tomsk Muslim teachers' courses. A significant contribution to the culture and education during the Civil war belongs to the prominent Tomsk philanthropist Peter Makushin. He supported the activities of the Institute for the Study of Siberia, helped to the Higher Siberian Women's Courses. Once he said about donating 150000 rubles to build a House for Arts in Tomsk. Makushin' charity was praised by Siberian authorities. In October of 1919 Supreme Ruler of Siberia A.V. Kolchak bestowed him on the title of Honorary Citizen of Siberia. Charitable activities in favor of the army achieved the greatest results. Tomsk Society for Help to Sick and Wounded soldiers, Army Assistance Committee were founded. These organizations helped the sick and wounded soldiers, they also organized military-technical and cultural-educational work in Siberian Army. Tomsk owners, brothers Kukhterins, V.G. Golovanov, P.I. Makushin made monetary contributions in favor of the Army. Still, the main contributor to the military needs was Tomsk Exchange Committee. During 1918-1919 the members of Exchange Committee had sponsored to raiser cavalry and artillery divisions of the White Army, delivered 500 horses to the Army, as well as warm clothes and footwear for horsemen. In total, for the period of the Civil War, Tomsk donors contributed to the needs of the White Army of over 5 million rubles. With the establishing of the Soviet power in Tomsk in 1919/20 winter all donations were cancelled, and charitable activities was replaced from public life by long.

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