Polotnyany Zavod Museum-Reserve

About museum

Polotnyany Zavod Museum-Reserve was opened on June 4, 1999. It is a unique architectural complex that originated in the 18th century and includes two estates — the Goncharov and Shchepochkin estates. Linen and paper factories were built here. In 1755 Empress Catherine II stayed at the Goncharov estate, and in October 1812 the headquarters of the Russian army was located here and M. I. Kutuzov lived here. In 1830 and 1834 A. S. Pushkin visited this place. At the end of the 19th century one of the first people's theatres was located here, named after A. S. Pushkin. The museum tells the history of the Goncharov family and of A. S. Pushkin's stay here. In September 2019 a Virtual Concert Hall was opened. The site also hosts theatrical tours and activities for children. Visiting Polotnyany Zavod, one can learn about Russian history of the 18th–19th centuries and admire fine architectural monuments.