From the history of creating scientific and industrial exhibitions by the inhabitants of Irkutsk in the second half of the XIX - beginning of the XX centuries (based on the materials of East Siberian Department of the Imperial Russian Geographical Society)

The article presents and analyzes the documents of East Siberian Imperial Russian geographical society about the history of creating scientific and industrial exhibitions by the inhabitants of Irkutsk at the turn of the XIX - XX centuries. As a result of the research done, the letters, correspondence about collecting items, attracting collectors and artists to decorating the pavilions, statutes, draft regulations and programs for financing, project implementation were identified. The article explains how the exhibition activities influenced 6 the knowledge expansion of the inhabitants of Irkutsk about famous scientists' scientific achievements and works. The study presented the educational work of the intelligentsia to familiarize citizens with works of art. The article analyzes new historical sources that allow to reveal the peculiarities of holding artistic events in Irkutsk.