Novgorod Ecclesiastical-Archaeological Museum: From Creation to De Facto Elimination

In 1912, the Ecclesiastical-Archaeological Society with ecclesiastical-archaeological museum was founded in Novgorod. Its objectives included preservation of church archives and protection of church monuments. Educational activity was one of special importance. It was aimed at disseminating historical and archaeological knowledge, delivering lectures, giving excursions, holding exhibitions and public readings. These activities were carried out by leading Russian academics - honorary and full members of the society. After 1917, the new authorities developed an ambivalent attitude towards this society. On the one hand, active anti-religious policy was pursued; on the other hand, the Bolsheviks declared themselves defenders of cultural values. One of the grave problems was that the museum was located right in the center of Novgorod - in the Kremlin. The decision was made to use the building for housing various Soviet organizations. The museum itself was supposed to be moved to St. George’s (Yuriev) Monastery. That decision was opposed by Leon Trotsky’s wife, Natalia Sedova, a well-known museum governmental official.