West Kazakhstan Regional Local History Museum
The West Kazakhstan Regional History and Local Lore Museum is one of the oldest museums in Kazakhstan, with a history spanning nearly two centuries. Its core mission is to study, preserve, and promote the rich historical and cultural heritage of the Ural region, while fostering historical awareness among the local population, youth, and visitors.
The museum was established in 1836 at the Ural Military School, initiated by teacher M. Kurilin and local historian G. Karelin, who began collecting valuable artifacts related to the region’s history. The current building of the museum is a historical architectural monument in the oriental style, constructed in 1879 as a Russian-Kazakh (Kyrgyz) school.
The museum’s collection consists of 121,217 items. It includes archaeological finds, ethnographic items, jewelry, handicrafts, traditional clothing, weapons, rare books, and personal belongings and documents of notable cultural figures. Among the notable artifacts are gold ornaments dating back to the 4th-2nd centuries BCE, household items from the 18th-19th centuries, archival materials related to Kurmangazy Sagyrbayuly, the traditional vest (kamzol) of Dina Nurpeisova, a replica of Seytek’s dombra, replicas of clothing worn by Khan Zhangir and Fatima Khanum, a graphic portrait of N.F. Savichev by Taras Shevchenko, the original 1941 artwork "The Meeting of Kyz Zhibek and Tolegen" by Abylkhan Kasteyev, writing tools of poets Zhumeken Moldagaliev, Kadyr Myrzaliyev, Takhaui Zharokov, as well as costumes worn by stage artists G. Kurmangaliyev, Kh. Bokeeva, R. Zhamanova, and 18th-19th century jewelry.
The museum’s exhibition is organized into 7 thematic halls, representing different historical stages of the Ural region:
1. Hall of Archaeology - Showcases the ancient history of the region with artifacts from burial mounds such as Kirykkoba and Segizsay (Lebedevka). A highlight is the "Golden Princess" complex from the Dolinnoye settlement in the Terekti district, dating to the Sauromatian-Sarmatian period (discovered in 2012).
2. Hall of Zhaiyk Settlement History - Presents the ancient settlement of Zhaiyk as a center of early civilization. It features a model of the settlement, the project for an open-air museum, and information on early inhabitants, architecture, and urban life.
3. Hall of the Kazakh Khanate and Bukey Horde - Offers materials on the formation of the Kazakh Khanate and its rulers (Kerey, Zhanibek, Kenesary, Zhangir Khan), alongside displays on traditional Kazakh life, a fragment of a yurt, and examples of nomadic economy.
4. Hall of Unique Exhibits - Features a rich collection of jewelry and silverware. Also displayed is the original graphic artwork "The Meeting of Kyz Zhibek and Tolegen" (1941) by the renowned Kazakh artist Abylkhan Kasteyev.
5. Hall of 20th Century History - Highlights the political activities of Kazakh intellectuals in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the emergence of the Alash movement, the Alash party and Alash Orda government, as well as the roles of Zhakhan and Khalel Dosmukhamedov.
6. Hall of Arts - Dedicated to the great figures of Kazakh musical heritage, including Kurmangazy, Dina, Seytek, Mukhit, and Garifolla. The exhibit includes the history of the Kurmangazy Kazakh Folk Instruments Orchestra, Kali Zhantileuov’s dombra, and materials about Tuyakberdy Shamilov and violinist Marat Bisengaliyev.
7. Hall of Independent Kazakhstan - Presents exhibits related to the history of Kazakhstan's independence, including national symbols (emblem, flag, anthem), the formation of the capital city Astana, and the region’s achievements in economy, education, culture, and sports.
