Arctic and Antarctic Museum

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Template:Short description Template:Expand Russian

File:Arctic and Antarctic Museum SPB 01.jpg
Melnikov's building on Marata Street near Ligovsky Avenue

The Russian State Arctic and Antarctic Museum (Template:Langx) is a museum in St. Petersburg, Russia. It was established in November 1930 as part of the Soviet Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute, but was not opened until six years later.[1]

Exhibits

The museum is located in Avraam Melnikov's Neoclassical Chuch of St Nicholas[2] from the 1820s and remains the largest museum dedicated to polar exploration in the world.[3] The exhibits are spread across two floors.[4] The current director of the museum is Victor Boyarsky.[5]

One of the main exhibitions in the museum chronicles the history of SS Chelyuskin, a Soviet steamship which sank in Polar waters in 1934. The museum houses a small plane which had been on board the ship and used to carry survivors to safety.[6]

The museum displays are divided into four main categories:[6]

  • Arctic environment
  • The discovery and history of exploration of the Northern Sea Route
  • Economy and culture of the Northern regions
  • Antarctica

The museum contains large numismatic collections, holding over 4000 coins dating back to the 16th century, and medals awarded to polar explorers. They also hold a large philatelic collection, holding both mail sent from the Arctic and Antarctic, items from their post offices, and stamps commemorating polar exploration.[7]

During the Second World War the museum was closed and evacuated to Krasnoyarsk in Siberia. The museum was reopened again in 1950.[7]

The museum has also organised over 300 exhitions across Russia and internationally.[6]

See also

References

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External links

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