Kem Museum

About museum

In 1980 a museum was established dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the Karelian Labour Commune and to its first exhibition, "History of the Region from Ancient Times to the Present Day." The museum's collection began with 80 items representing the everyday life of the Pomors and documentary materials on the history of Karelian Pomorye, donated by local historian I. F. Semenov. In 1985, for the town's 200th anniversary, the museum moved into the Kem uyezd treasury building, built in 1788. Here visitors can learn about the town's history, the spiritual culture of the Pomors, their crafts and trades, as well as the lives of ordinary seafarers and the merchant class. The museum displays unique exhibits donated by residents of the town and district: antique icons, a kokoshnik embroidered with pearls, and other items. You can also see books and manuscripts of the Old Believers and collections of numismatics and bonistics (banknote collecting). The museum offers distinctive exhibitions along with the hospitality and warmth of its staff.