The article tells about the initial stages of the history of one of the first natural and historical museums in the North Caucasus – the Terek regional museum, created in Vladikavkaz due to the efforts of the Terek regional statistic committee at the end of the XIX century. The museum played an outstanding role in preserving and popularizing the monuments of the history and culture of the Terek area’s peoples, and can be compared with such educational institutions as libraries, popular reading halls, etc. The published materials, representing official documents of the Terek regional statistic committee (journal decisions and annual reports on the state and activities of the committee), allow to reconsider the accepted date of the museum creation (April 8, 1897, when the museum was opened for visitors), and connect it with the memorable sitting of the general meeting of the Terek regional statistic committee, which took place on March 13, 1893. The decision on creation of the museum meant for preservation of monuments of the history and culture of the Terek area’s peoples was passed at this very meeting, and the special commission for the museum organization was formed as well. The documents fully enough represent the activities to organize the museum, acquaint with its financial and organizational issues, and show a role of higher officials and urban society representatives in turning the museum into an educational institution.

Keywords: historical and cultural heritage, Terek regional museum, Terek regional statistic committee.

References:

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