History of establishment and development of museum under the direction of the regional statistical committee of Semirechye in the end of 19^th - early 20^th centuries

Regional centers of statistical recordings in 19th - early 20th centuries played a big role in social and cultural regional studies and popularization of stored knowledge, especially about national edges of empire. Establishment of museum under the direction of the regional Statistical Committee dates from the end of the 19th century. Numerous collections of exhibits promoted opening under the direction of the Committee independent sections of the museum, such as physical and geographical, ethnographical, agricultural, home-industrial and archeological. With increase of exhibits the sections framed independent collections and expositions. Beginning in 1898 the museum collection was enlarged generally due to donations by individual persons, district marshals, local and central institutions. The need and significance of museum exhibits in the region were sufficiently high appreciated. Numerous appeals from the members of the Statistical Committee to regional authorities for necessary financial support were refused with reference to lack of spare funds. First patrons were Committee members E.O. Baum and K.A. Larionov. They donated to the museum their private collections. Many exhibits came to museum from exhibitions. Enthusiasts of Statistical Committee took all measures to find new funds. They applied for help to academicians in Central Russia, members of Imperial Academy of Science, progressively minded local intellectuals. Significant credit of subsidizing of museum over many years goes to research scientists and leading members of public. Receipts for supporting museum, its laboratory and preservation of collections were sent from such towns as Pishkep, Zharkent, Qapal, Przhevalsk. Aimed to elaborate and enlarge museum collections Committee members organized scientific expeditions and participated in external expeditions. Resourcerich Semirechye Oblast was object of interest of many scientists. As of from 1902 to 1906 the territory of Semirechye was scientifically studied by expeditionary groups of professor V.V. Sapozhnikov (Tomsk University), Balkhash expedition of the member of Imperial Russian Geographical Society L.S. Berg, expedition of V.I. Lipsky (Imperial Saint Petersburg Botanical Garden). Taking all things together in spite of difficulties and complexities that the founders of museum - members of the regional Statistical Committee faced, the regional center of cultural and spiritual heritage was established, enlarged by new exhibits, established contacts with organizations from the inland and aboard.

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