Nurinsky District Museum of History and Local Lore
The Nurinsky District Museum of History and Local Lore is a cultural and scientific center established to preserve and promote the rich historical, cultural, and spiritual heritage of the region. The museum operates under the Department of Culture, Archives, and Documentation of the Karaganda Region and plays an important role in studying the history of the area as well as preserving and developing national memory.
The museum’s main mission is to collect, preserve, and present a collection that reflects the rich history and culture of the Nurinsky region, as well as to conduct scientific, educational, and exhibition activities for the district’s population.
History and Activities of the Museum
Since its opening, the museum has become a place where visitors can encounter the past and gain a meaningful perspective on the present. The building's total area is 875 square meters, and the museum welcomes more than 2,000 visitors annually.
The museum’s collection consists of 3,516 items, including 2,020 in the main collection and 1,496 in the scientific and auxiliary collection. Among the exhibits are documents, photographs, research materials, household items, and historically valuable artifacts related to the lives and activities of prominent figures.
In 2024, the museum's collection was enriched with 21 new items (16 for the main collection and 5 for the auxiliary collection), and in 2025 with an additional 120 items (95 for the main collection and 25 for the auxiliary collection).
Virtual Projects and Social Media
The museum is actively developing its online presence. Virtual projects, livestreams, and online events are conducted on Instagram, Facebook, Odnoklassniki, and YouTube.
The museum’s social media audience:
- Instagram — 2,787 followers
- Facebook — 4,083
- Odnoklassniki — 2,554
- YouTube — 282
Innovative Projects and New Formats of Work
To attract visitors, the museum implements interactive and cultural-educational projects, including intellectual quests, campaigns, teambuilding activities, mobile exhibitions, educational marathons, theatrical puppet performances, ethno-expeditions, and other events.
Special projects include: “Do You Know the History of the Nurinsky Region?”, “Night at the Museum,” and others.
Main Areas of Activity
- functioning as a modern cultural and educational center;
• organizing historical and educational lessons, workshops, “Lessons in the Museum,” and “Open Door Days” for children and youth;
• conducting scientific research: studying the history of the region, collecting archival and expedition materials, promoting the heritage of distinguished individuals;
• holding national, cultural, festive, and traditional events.
Main Exhibition Halls
The museum features three main exhibition pavilions:
- Archaeology and Ethnography Hall
This hall introduces visitors to the archaeological and cultural-historical monuments of the district. It presents information on more than 100 archaeological sites and architectural mausoleums.
The exhibition displays household items of the Kazakh people, the interior of a yurt, and traditional handicrafts. - “Zerna” Hall
This exhibition reflects the history of the district’s agriculture, the development of virgin lands, the activities of the Shubarkol coal mine, and the contributions of prominent scientists, including Karim Mynbayev, the founder of Kazakh agrarian science.
It also showcases materials about the “generals of the grain fields” — distinguished agricultural workers. - Hall of Military Glory
This hall is dedicated to outstanding individuals of the district who contributed to the development of culture, sports, healthcare, and industry. It features materials about senators, ministers, Afghan war veterans, and participants of the December events.
Museum Renovations
In 2023, the “Archaeology and Ethnography” Hall, the “Hall of Military Glory,” and the conference hall were completely renovated.
The exhibitions were modernized with support from the Karaganda Regional Museum of History and Local Lore. New display cases, yurt interior elements, national furniture, and traditional tableware were acquired.
The Nurinsky District Museum of History and Local Lore is a cultural and scientific center with a 13-year history that carefully preserves the memory of the region’s past and passes it on to future generations. Here, every visitor can encounter unique artifacts, feel the spirit of Kazakh culture, and gain a deeper understanding of the rich historical heritage of the Nurinsky district.
