The Belgorod State Historical and Local History Museum is one of the oldest cultural institutions in the region. The museum was opened on October 25, 1924, initially as a branch of the Kursk Provincial Museum. At first, the museum was housed in the premises of the former male Holy Trinity Monastery. Within a short period, the museum collections were formed, totaling about 8,000 items at that time.
During the Great Patriotic War, all museum valuables were destroyed and looted by fascist occupiers. Only after the war did the collection of exhibits resume. The museum began its work again on August 5, 1948, in House No. 42 on Budenny Avenue (now Slava Avenue).
In 1964, the city’s local history museum was granted regional status.
On October 22, 1973, the museum opened its doors to visitors in the building of the Transfiguration Cathedral.
In 1991, the cathedral building was returned to the Orthodox Church, and the museum was relocated to a newly constructed building at 2a Popova Street.
