Memorial Museum "Investigation Prison of the NKVD" (Tomsk) began its existence on June 13, 1989. It is one of the structural divisions of the Tomsk Regional Museum named after Mikhail Bonifatievich Shatilov. More often than others, this museum is visited by politicians, journalists and representatives of public life. Therefore, he gained popularity only in certain circles. It is interesting that this museum complex is the only one of its kind, which has no analogues around the world. The fame of this institution has long gone beyond the borders of the Russian state.
Location
The Memorial Museum of the NKVD (Tomsk) is located in one of the basements on Lenin Avenue. From 1923 to 1944, it was in this building that the prison of the Tomsk city department of the OGPU-NKVD was located. The adjoining territory was used as a patio, where from time to timetime the prisoners breathed fresh air. Currently, this area is occupied by the Square of Memory. During 1992-2004, monuments dedicated to the victims of repressions were erected in this square. Today, the NKVD Museum-Prison (Tomsk) looks like a complete architectural ensemble, which, moreover, is a memorial. It is this place that is of great importance for the historical memory of the city of Tomsk.
Exposures
The exposition in the museum is permanent. Here you can see reconstructions of prison corridors and cells for prisoners. It is also possible to look into the investigator's office.
The space of the museum is divided into four zones, where you can view different expositions united by one theme.
There are also several personal stands that display the history of famous and talented people who spent the last days of their lives within these walls. The exhibits are a huge number of documents, photographs, crafts made by the hands of prisoners.
Museum Life
The museum has a room dedicated to the exhibition hall. The administration constantly organizes thematic events of various kinds. These can be various presentations, documentary screenings and other community projects. There are also interesting meetings with students, local historians and other interesting people. After such meetings, everyone draws interesting and necessary conclusions for themselves.
Library
Excepteducational meetings and direct expositions, guests are invited to visit the library. This is a narrow thematic area. Here you can find rare documents, interesting newspaper clippings, photographs and even videos. All this will help to delve into the life situations of prison inmates. The library contains more than 200 thousand life stories of people who have passed through these walls.
Community activities
Systematically the Museum of the NKVD (Tomsk) organizes days of memory, doing it together with other public organizations. Such events are held to raise the awareness of today's youth. The museum is trying to attract the attention of young and energetic people who will be able to continue to implement the administration's plans in the future. Thus, the publication of various collections, as well as the holding of educational seminars, is increasingly taking place. These events are attended not only by Russian youth, but also by representatives of other countries. All this is very interesting and informative for a person of any age, so among visitors you can observe people of different age categories. Especially interesting is the library, where you can learn a lot of interesting stories.
Visiting the Museum of the NKVD (Tomsk), ordinary people remain impressed by what they see for a long time.
Reviews
Initially, many tourists are skeptical about visiting this kind of establishments. After all, bypassing cultural attractions should be enjoyable and positive. BUTwhat can be nice about visiting a prison?
But one has only to take a step into the Museum of the NKVD (Tomsk), as all generally accepted stereotypes are completely destroyed. This place captivates from the first second. Many people claim that they have never been on a more interesting and exciting excursion.
It is very easy to get to the museum from anywhere in Tomsk, as it is located in the very heart of the city.
Prison cells, which today are the main exhibits of the museum, have been preserved almost in their original form. This immerses you even more in the special atmosphere of the terrible time of repression. Between the halls-chambers there is a corridor, which also presents many interesting exhibits.
The first room is the office where the investigator worked. A standard set of furniture, a window under the bars, cigarettes and a decanter. Upon entering this chamber, many have an eerie feeling. The investigator's mannequin also does not evoke positive emotions, but nevertheless, such a sight is breathtaking.
Pictures immediately pop up before my eyes, how the unfortunate prisoners were left face to face with the representative of justice, and what emotions they experienced, knowing exactly their future fate.
Real criminal cases are kept on the table. Those who are at least a little versed in investigative expertise can conclude that full-fledged investigations were not conducted in those days.
There were no reasons for the arrests, they were not motivated, but almost all prisoners were sentenced to death.
Among the prisoners of the prison were poets, writers and otherspublic figures. Many documents, photographs and even personal belongings of the famous poet Nikolai Klyuev are presented at a separate stand. The poet was shot for propaganda against the Soviet regime, as well as for writing anti-revolutionary works.
The walls of the prison have seen many tragic events. From them breathes cold and horror. The whole atmosphere plunges into despondency, shock and even causes a feeling of anxiety.
In another cell, you can see a cross made from photographs of prisoners. More than 23,000 innocent people met their death here. Among them are teachers, writers, poets, scientists, doctors, military men.
The third room is the most difficult to perceive. Prisoners were directly located here.
You can relieve stress from what you see in a cozy park located right next to the museum. There are many benches and alleys for walking. But some monuments in the park still remind of the terrible time of persecution and repression.
