Sheltozersky Veps Ethnographic Museum named after R. P. Lonin

About museum

The Sheltozersky Veps Ethnographic Museum named after R. P. Lonin is a museum of the indigenous people of the Russian Federation — the Veps. It was founded in 1967 by the well-known local historian, writer, and collector of Veps folklore Rurik Petrovich Lonin (1930–2009). Over 13 years unique collections were assembled on traditional occupations and trades, daily life and household, folk beliefs and festivals of the Veps. In 1971 this museum was recognized as the best among the people's museums of the republic. In 1980 the museum became state-owned and was incorporated into the Karelian State Museum of Local Lore. The first director was historian and researcher Alexander Pavlovich Maksimov. Rurik Lonin and Alexander Maksimov worked together to create the exhibition in the restored Melkin house dating from 1814. In 1991 the museum opened its doors to its first visitors. In 2010 the museum was given the name of its founder. Since then the full official name of the museum has been the Sheltozersky Veps Ethnographic Museum named after R. P. Lonin.