Arctic Museum, the first in the world, opened in Leningrad

January 8, 1937 was inaugurated the Arctic Museum - the only in Russia and the world's largest cultural institution, fully illuminating the history and natural features of the polar regions of our planet. The exposition of the museum and the materials stored in its holdings, are unique historical monuments of world importance.

History of the museum began with a series of Mobile Polar Exhibitions which were organized in Leningrad, Moscow and Arkhangelsk beginning from 1923. Already in the 1920's, due to an active research of the Arctic, many eminent explorers and scientists put forward proposals on the establishment of a permanent polar museum. November 22, 1930 was adopted the Resolution of the Presidium of the USSR Central Committee on the establishment of the All-Union Arctic Institute (VAI), which should include, as a special section, the Arctic Museum. In 1933 the Arctic Institute, in order to organize the museum, was provided with the building of the former St. Nicholas Common Faith Church on Marata Street. It was built in 1838 on a draft of the Russian architect A. I. Melnikov and represented an architectural monument of the first half of 19th century.

Since the museum opened in 1937, its staff sought to respond efficiently to all the important events in the Arctic. So, in September 1938 opened an exposition highlighting the first drifting station North Pole-1 (May 1937 - February 1938). At the same time, the museum’s employees developed the scientific concept, prepared and collected exhibits, creating a permanent exposition. The Russian scientists and researchers of the Arctic also took an active part in organizing of the museum. Owing to their assistance the institution quickly gained recognition not only in Russia but also abroad. In 1937 at the World Exhibition in Paris, its exhibits were awarded   the honorary diploma.

During the Great Patriotic War of 1941-45 the museum was evacuated to Krasnoyarsk, and in March 1950, reopened its doors to visitors. In the 1950's began a new stage in the development of the polar regions of the globe - the systematic study of Antarctica. The museum’s collection was enriched with new exhibits of the first Soviet Antarctic expeditions. In July 1958, the museum was given a new name - Arctic and Antarctic Museum.

In February 1998, under a decree of the Government of the Russian Federation, the museum was given a new status: the Federal State Institution the Russian State Museum of Arctic and Antarctic (RGMAA). Currently RGMAA is the world's largest museum whose collection covers the polar subject area.

The Museum of Arctic and Antarctic illustrates the history of the discovery and development of the North and South Poles - from the 16th century to this day. Four sections of the exhibition cover the nature of the Arctic, Antarctic, the national economy and cultural construction in the Far North regions, the history of research and development of the Northern Sea Route.

The first section presents plants and animals that inhabit the Arctic. Here you can see dioramas of "Walrus rookery", "Bird colony on the sea shore", "Tundra in the summer" and "Tundra in the winter."

At the exhibition, highlighting Antarctica, you can learn about national and foreign Antarctic expeditions, as well as the nature of Antarctica. Here you can see the first edition of the atlas to the voyage of Captain Bellingshausen in the southern Arctic Ocean and around the world in 1819-1821. In 1911 and 1912 there were two foreign expeditions to the South Pole – the Norwegian one, led by R. Amundsen and the British one, led by R. F. Scott. In the Museum of Arctic and Antarctic one can see the sleigh used during the expeditions of Scott and given over to the Museum as a gift by the Scott Polar Institute. 
The third section of the exposition introduces a collection of minerals produced in the Far North, as well as exhibits illustrating the history and features of life of Northern peoples.

The last section is dedicated to the history of Arctic navigation. Here you can see a part of an ancient sailing ship, on which sailed coast-dwellers, the pioneers of the North Sea and Arctic Ocean, which was typical for seafarers of 16-17th centuries, clothing and much more.

The museum holds equipment and expedition gear, writing, mapping and printed sources, photographs. There is also an interesting collection of paintings and drawings, highlighting the works of such artists as A. A. Borisov, N. V. Pinegin, I. P. Ruban, M. A. Kaneev, V. V. Fomenko, N. Martynov, O. Kotelnikov, A. Medvedev; and the works of members of the Soviet Antarctic Expedition (SAE) N. I. Shvyrkov, V. I. Kostyrskiy, as well as a professional traveler F. Konyukhov.

The Russian State Arctic and Antarctic Museum: the website. 2010. http://www.polarmuseum.ru/.

Based on the Presidential Library’s materials:

Development of the Arctic: [digital collection]