Our History
The Museum of Kyiv History was founded on 14 November 1978 and opened in 1979. Today, it is a union of 10 branch museums, which organically complement the overall concept of the Museum.
1978 - 1982
The Museum of Kyiv History was established on 14 November 1978 and opened in the first quarter of 1979 in the “House of Peter I” in Podil (6/8 Kostiantynivska St.). At that time, the museum’s collection consisted of archaeological materials transferred by the Institute of Archaeology of the Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR, ethnographic and numismatic collections, icons, early printed books, postcards, and gifts from enterprises, institutions, and Kyiv residents. Within a short period, the museum’s holdings grew to 36,000 items.
1982 - 2004
Due to the lack of exhibition space, only 5–6% of the collection could be displayed. As a result, the museum was relocated to the Klov Palace (an 18th-century architectural monument of national significance at 8 Pylypa Orlyka St.) and opened on 26 May 1982 during the celebration of the city’s 1500th anniversary. At the Klov Palace, the Museum was housed for more than twenty years, featuring 18 exhibition and assembly halls, administrative offices, and storage facilities. During this time, the Museum gained a reputation as one of the best cultural and educational institutions in the capital of Ukraine and became a hallmark of historic Kyiv.
2004 - 2012
However, by order of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 506 dated 11 August 2003, the Klov Palace building was transferred to the Supreme Court of Ukraine. Since10 March 2004, the Museum was closed to visitors and “relocated” to the 4th and 5th floors of the Palace of Arts “Ukrainian House” at 2 Khreshchatyk St.
2012 - Present
On 6 June 2012, under public pressure, the building of a commercial and office center near Teatralna Metro Station at 7 Bohdana Khmelnytskoho St. was allocated for use by the Museum of Kyiv History. From 22 August 2012, the Museum resumed its exhibition activities and now functions as the Museum and Exhibition Center “Museum of Kyiv History.”