Ekaterina Ivanovna Zhernoklyova

About museum

Ekaterina Ivanovna Zhernoklyova – an outstanding teacher, public figure and local historian. She was born in the Ryazan region and, orphaned at an early age, was raised by her grandmother. After finishing school she decided to become a teacher and worked in a primary school. In 1941, at the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, she voluntarily went to the front. Ekaterina Ivanovna took part in battles near Tula, Orel, Bryansk and Smolensk, as well as in the Bobruysk operation. After sustaining a concussion, she remained for treatment at a hospital in Bobruysk, where, after her recovery, she worked in the school department of the regional Komsomol committee.

 In Bobruysk she met her future husband, Ivan Vladimirovich Zhernoklyov. They were married on Victory Day. In 1947 the family moved to the stanitsa Tulskaya. Ekaterina Ivanovna headed the House of Pioneers for 28 years and, together with her husband, engaged in local history work; she was the founder of the local history museum. Clubs led by the Zhernoklyov spouses conducted expeditions, replenishing the museum collections. The couple wrote several books about the history and nature of the Maykop district.

 Ekaterina Ivanovna was awarded many orders and medals, including the Order of the Patriotic War, 2nd class, and the Medal "For the Victory over Germany." She was granted the title "Excellent Worker of Public Education," and the Russian Ministry of Culture honored her with the medals "For Achievements in Culture" and "For Active Work in the VOOPIK Society." In 1989 she became an honorary citizen of the Maykop district. From 1993 to 2001 she once again headed the museum, which since 1994 has borne the name of the Zhernoklyov spouses. Ekaterina Ivanovna passed away on September 29, 2007.