The Nizhny Novgorod Museum-Reserve opened an exhibition in Minsk titled "Old Years. Sketches of Manor Life and Everyday Life"

      The exhibition “Old Years. Sketches from Manor Life and Everyday Living” opened at the Loschitsa Manor branch of the Museum of the History of the City of Minsk. This is the third joint project of the Nizhny Novgorod Museum-Reserve and the Museum of the History of the City of Minsk. The exhibition opened on the Day of National Unity of the Republic of Belarus.

      “The opening of the joint project of the Nizhny Novgorod and Minsk museums on the Day of National Unity of the Republic of Belarus is especially symbolic and emphasizes the strong cultural ties between our countries. This exhibition is important for the younger generation, as it provides an opportunity to recall the life of two peoples within a single country during the period of monumental changes after the abolition of serfdom. Tracing the introduction of innovations and the overcoming of challenges by estate owners, we see how important it is to treat history carefully, noting every detail, and at the same time to be open to the new in order to successfully respond to the demands of the times. The contribution of the Nizhny Novgorod Museum-Reserve and the cultural institutions of the Nizhny Novgorod Region to the development of friendship with the Republic of Belarus is enormous, especially in the current year, full of events dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Victory. Together with our Belarusian colleagues, we carefully preserve historical memory, including through joint exhibitions, supporting and developing our shared rich heritage with professionalism, respect and reverence for history,” noted Dmitry Starostin, Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Nizhny Novgorod Region.

      The exhibition’s title “Old Years” refers to the name of a St. Petersburg magazine published in the early 20th century that was devoted to art and antiquities. The exhibition itself shows not only the everyday life and customs of landed estates but also reflects the complex socio-economic processes that took place in society after the abolition of serfdom. As the curators note, the project allows for interesting parallels to be drawn between the development of estate culture in the Nizhny Novgorod Governorate and on the territory of Belarus, revealing common features and national characteristics.

      “For the second year the Nizhny Novgorod Museum-Reserve has been presenting the culture of the Nizhny Novgorod Region to our Belarusian brothers, finding amazing interweavings in our shared history. After projects dedicated to Belarusian settlers and masters of folk arts and crafts, we turned to the theme of people who were locomotives—those who propelled industry and agriculture forward. It is precisely thanks to such individuals that progress occurs, and this is especially important to note today. It is symbolic that the collection presented at the exhibition belongs to our contemporary, enthusiast and collector Vyacheslav Khurtin, who continues the work of preserving and popularizing the history of his native land,” said Yuri Filippov, General Director of the Nizhny Novgorod Museum-Reserve.

      The core of the exhibition is the collection of the head of the Nizhny Novgorod Museum-Reserve branch “Technical Museum,” honorary citizen of Nizhny Novgorod Vyacheslav Khurtin. Nearly 70 carefully collected and restored items will allow visitors to come into contact with the material culture of a bygone era.

      “We approached the selection of items for this exhibition with special reverence, striving to present the most complete picture of manor life. We wanted to show all its facets, from everyday life to the technical achievements that changed the world. Previously the collection of the ‘Technical Museum’ already delighted visitors in China, and I am sure that our Belarusian friends will show no less interest. I am confident that after becoming acquainted with this exhibition, many will want to see other exhibits of the ‘Technical Museum,’ and we will be glad to welcome guests from Belarus in Nizhny Novgorod,” said Vyacheslav Khurtin, head of the Nizhny Novgorod Museum-Reserve branch “Technical Museum.”

      The exhibition is structured into thematic sections that make it possible to comprehensively examine various aspects of manor life. The section devoted to transport will show how landowners got around in the 19th century. From traditional carriages and drozhki, which testified to the owner’s wealth and status, to fashionable bicycles that became a symbol of progress and individual freedom.

      The section dedicated to technical achievements will tell how everyday life was eased and farming conditions improved on the estates. The exhibition features icehouses—complex engineering structures that allowed food to be kept fresh for a long time—milk separators and the first electrical appliances that appeared in the homes of the most progressive landowners.

      The section devoted to interior items and furniture will allow visitors to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of manor houses and learn about the tastes and preferences of their inhabitants. The exhibition includes an Empire-period desk-table and a chair from the early 19th century, a chest with a secret lock, clocks, a floor gramophone and other items that created a unique atmosphere of coziness and comfort.

      The section on domestic medicine gives an idea of how medical assistance was provided in the estates, what remedies and treatment methods were common at the time.

      The exhibition is complemented by reproductions of photographs from the collections of the Nizhny Novgorod Museum-Reserve depicting the estates of the Nizhny Novgorod Governorate and their inhabitants. These historical images will allow visitors to form a more complete picture of the life and everyday practices of the manor world of that time, draw historical analogies and feel the connection of times.

      The exhibition “Old Years. Sketches from Manor Life and Everyday Living” will run at the Loschitsa Manor branch of the Museum of the History of the City of Minsk until January 15, 2026.

      Photos provided by the Nizhny Novgorod Museum-Reserve

      More news about the event:

      Nizhny Novgorod Museum-Reserve opened the exhibition “Old Years. Sketches from Manor Life and Everyday Living” in Minsk

      This is the third joint project of the Nizhny Novgorod Museum-Reserve and the Museum of the History of the City of Minsk. 20:55 19.09.2025 Vremya N - Nizhny Novgorod

      Nizhny Novgorod Museum-Reserve opened the exhibition “Old Years. Sketches from Manor Life and Everyday Living” in Minsk

      This is the third joint project of the Nizhny Novgorod Museum-Reserve and the Museum of the History of the City of Minsk

      Exhibition “Old Years.” 16:40 19.09.2025 Vad Municipal District - Vad

      Nizhny Novgorod museum opened an exhibition in Minsk about estate life

      The exhibition “Old Years.” opened at the Loschitsa Manor branch of the Minsk Museum of City History. 16:05 19.09.2025 NTA-Privolzhye - Nizhny Novgorod

      Nizhny Novgorod Museum-Reserve opened the exhibition “Old Years. Sketches from Manor Life and Everyday Living” in Minsk

      The exhibition “Old Years. Sketches from Manor Life and Everyday Living” opened at the Loschitsa Manor branch of the Museum of the History of the City of Minsk. 15:41 19.09.2025 Nizhny Novgorod Truth - Nizhny Novgorod

      Nizhny Novgorod Museum-Reserve opened the exhibition “Old Years. Sketches from Manor Life and Everyday Living” in Minsk

      The exhibition “Old Years. Sketches from Manor Life and Everyday Living” opened at the Loschitsa Manor branch of the Museum of the History of the City of Minsk. 15:23 19.09.2025 Government of the Nizhny Novgorod Region - Nizhny Novgorod

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