The V.K. Arsenyev Primorsky State Associated Museum
Svetlanskaya St. 20
The Primorsky Krai is the territory with absolutely unique nature. You can prove this even without traveling through the region - it suffices to visit the V.K. Arsenyev Primorsky State Associated Museum in Vladivostok. It is the oldest and the largest museum on the Far East and in the Eastern Siberia that is situated in city's historical center. Vast collection of valuable materials about Primorsky Krai's rich history and its inimitable nature is gathered here. Over 350 thousands of travelers from all over the world yearly come here to see it.
It was founded in the late 19th century as the Museum of Amur Krai's Research Society. Its collections were based on original ethnographical and archeological findings, gathered by prominent scientists of the Far Eastern region. Swapping its collections with leading European and American museums, the museum became famous fast. In the early 20th century, the scale of the Museum of Amur Krai's Research Society allowed to single it out into separate unit. At the same time it was renamed into Vladivostok State Regional Museum, and later it was reorganized into Primorsky Krai's Museum of Local Lore and named after Vladimir Arsenyev - the prominent Russian traveler and researcher of the Far East. But it was not until 1985 that it became the Primorsky State Associated Museum and turned into one of the region's brightest gems.
Museum's collections are kept on the premises of the former lodging house, owned by merchant Babintsev - a companion of the largest commercial and industrial firm on the Far East 'Trading House Churin and Kasyanov'. Built in the year 1904, the building is the valuable historical and architectural monument and one of the most attractive constructions in Vladivostok's downtown.
Currently the V.K. Arsenyev Primorsky State Associated Museum's collection, gathered over more than 120 years, numbers about 400 thousand exhibits - natural, historical, archeological ethnographical, cultural monuments - and is considered the largest one in the region. Zoological, botanical, ornithological and entomological collections constitute museum's holdings' core. Stuffed sea animals, shellfish, reptiles and birds - the representatives of the amazing Far Eastern fauna - are exhibited here.
Unique porcelain collection and one of the best carved and engraved bones' collections on the Far East have particular value. The museum also has a collection telling about life and culture of the Priamurye's and Primorye's native peoples. Its rarity is the full set of Itelmen's (native inhabitant of Kamchatka) military outfit, dated to the 19th century. Cold steel collection includes blades produced since the 17th century in Russia, the USSR, Japan, England, China, Indo-China and other countries. Its gem is a saber awarded to heroes of the Patriotic War of 1812.
