The Rybinsk F.F. Ushakov Museum

The idea of creating a museum of Admiral F.F. Ushakov in Rybinsk was conceived by two entrepreneurs, Andrei Rodin and Eduard Olenev, in the process of discussing the connection between Rybinsk and the Russian fleet. Rodin had experience in creating private museums, and the collector Olenev was engaged in the antique business and had his own premises in the historical part of the city. One of the premises was located on Stoyalaya street, 30 meters from the monument to Admiral F.F. Ushakov.

Why the museum of F.F. Ushakov? Rybinsk land is the small homeland of the admiral, but there is no museum dedicated to the great naval commander and saint in Rybinsk.

The idea of creating a museum took the form of a concept in January 2016, and in June the museum was opened. The basis of its exposition is the artifacts from the collections of Eduard Olenev, who took upon himself to search, select, and fill out the museum space. The exhibits include furniture from the 18th century, cold steel and firearms, marine paraphernalia, items of clothing, and household items. Andrei Rodin was engaged in the general concept and design; he purchased navigation instruments at auctions, produced information tablets, developed excursion programs, and ordered copies of marine paintings, portraits, and battle paintings.

In January 2019, the Rybinsk Museum of Admiral F.F. Ushakova, due to the need to expand the exposition due to an increase in the number of exhibits and exposition topics, moved to a new, larger premises in the On the Krestovaya Museum and Exhibition Complex, which united the museum of Admiral F.F. Ushakov, the first Maritime Museum and art gallery in the Yaroslavl region. The exposition dedicated to F.F. Ushakov was completely reformatted, supplemented by multimedia equipment, and expanded.

Rybinsk Museum of Admiral F.F. Ushakov is the first and only memorial museum in Russia of the invincible naval commander, military leader, and Orthodox saint.

The museum’s activities are aimed at conducting educational work and promoting patriotic education. The main form of work is sightseeing. Excursion programs combine oral narrative, multimedia audio-visual reconstruction of the historical events (naval battles of Admiral Ushakov), educational interactives (practical study of naval affairs, artillery and naval tactics, familiarity with the armament of the 18th century), and game elements (imitation of artillery shooting, fencing) for the first time in Russia.

The museum organizes traveling exhibitions using multimedia equipment, information tablets and mini displays of historical exhibits.

Excursion programs are developed depending on the age of visitors. There are excursion programs adapted for the children and adults with disabilities and special intellectual development. During the excursions, visitors get the opportunity to hear unique stories about Fyodor Fyodorovich, based on the museum’s own discoveries and finds, to find out information that has not been published anywhere else.

The museum organizes master classes in teaching the basics of naval affairs, which includes tying knots, using a sundial, compass, and anemometer, fencing, and acquaintance with silicon muzzle-loading weapons and naval artillery of the 18th century.