Manor House in the 19th — Early 20th Centuries

Before the 1917 revolution there were over 300 estates in Kirsanovsky District. Manor houses, with their libraries and soirees, were a highlight of Russian culture. They were home to prominent Russian musicians, artists, scientists, writers, philosophers and teachers. The names of the Naryshkins, the Zhemchuzhnikovs, the Chicherins, the Rachinskys and the Boratynskys are associated with the history of Kirsanov District.

Few of these unique places, which representatives of noble families created over decades, have survived the upheavals of the 20th century. The more precious are the surviving belongings of the Boratynskys, books from N. I. Krivtsov’s library, and furniture from the Obolensky, Chicherin and Boratynskys’ estates.

The highlight of the exhibition is a collection of furniture from the estate of M. K. Obolenskaya (Reitern). The Italian inlaid furniture set consists of 11 pieces. The huge mirror, table, chairs, sofa, secretaire and bookshelves are richly decorated with ivory and mother-of-pearl inlays.

The exhibition continues with a section dedicated to the Russian lyric poet and satirist A. M. Zhemchuzhnikov. It features memorabilia belonging to the poet and a bust of the fictional literary figure Kozma Prutkov, made by the sculptor D. S. Stelletsky.