Can you imagine a museum dedicated to a single individual? Here, on the Square of Revolution, stands the Central Museum of V.I. Lenin. It’s a massive building, once the home of Moscow’s City Duma but dedicated for almost 60 years to the life and legacy of the leader of the Soviet Union. The story of this museum is as fascinating as the man it commemorates.
It was in 1924 that the idea of a museum dedicated to Lenin was first solidified. After his passing, a decision was made at the 13th Congress of the RCP(b) to establish a museum that would house his manuscripts and documents. Initially, the museum was housed in several different locations, moving around Moscow until it finally settled in the former City Duma building in 1935.
It’s fascinating to note that, although Josef Stalin was not present at the meeting where the decision of the location was made, it was his hand that made the most significant changes. Apparently, he personally approved the Duma as the new location and decided to shrink its budget from five to three million rubles. The Duma, which had housed other institutions, had to be completely renovated to prepare for its new purpose. The NKVD and its head, N.I. Yezhov, took charge of these renovations in just 70 days, demonstrating the overwhelming power of the Communist Party.
The museum, now open to the public, quickly became a vital part of communist ideology throughout the Soviet Union. It served as a tool for spreading the idea that “Stalin is Lenin today.” This dedication can be seen in the museum’s impressive collection of over 100,000 items, including Lenin’s manuscripts, photographs, posters, and even personal belongings. Visitors could even view a replica of Lenin’s study in the Kremlin.
When the USSR dissolved in 1991, the museum lost its central role in party discourse. The main exposition was scaled down, and the museum had to lease out its spaces to make ends meet. By 1993, the Central Museum of V.I. Lenin ceased to exist as an independent institution. Its collections were transferred to the State Historical Museum. Although the museum lost its original function, it remains a powerful testament to a significant moment in Russian history. It’s a reminder of the ideology that dominated the Soviet Union for so long and a valuable resource for understanding the Soviet past.