Sign up
You have successfully registered, a confirmation email has been sent to the email address you provided.
Vasily Yakovlevich Marusin
About museum
Vasily Yakovlevich Marusin was a frontline soldier, educator, honorary citizen of Novoaltaysk, and the organizer of the city’s local history museum. He was born on 26 December 1914 in the village of Ust-Uyskoye, Chelyabinsk Oblast. In 1932 he graduated from the pedagogical college in Barnaul and from 1937 worked as a geography teacher. During World War II he served as commander of a machine-gun squad and as a platoon commander. With the rank of senior lieutenant he fought on the Southwestern and Ukrainian Fronts. For his combat service he was awarded the Order of the Red Star and the medal For Courage.
After the war Marusin returned to teaching, first heading School No. 1 and later School No. 10. He also led a collective farm for a time. Alongside his administrative work, Marusin for many years ran the hiking/tourist section at the House of Pioneers, organizing hikes and trips for schoolchildren and instilling in them a love of history and local lore. He also assembled a personal collection of historical artifacts.
Marusin's collecting activity continued after he became director of the book trade. His office housed an extensive collection that included fossils, old books, and coins. Only after retiring in 1972 was Marusin able to fulfill his dream — to found a museum in Novoaltaysk. Thanks to his efforts three museums opened in the city, including the Novoaltaysk Local History Museum, which today bears his name. Vasily Yakovlevich Marusin died on 20 September 1983.
Date of birth
26 December 1914
Date of death
20 September 1983
Occupation
Educator