Russian History Museum

06/10/2026

This Saturday, June 13 (1 PM), join us for an online talk exploring how 17th-century Russia’s surprisingly sophisticated judicial system operated in practice, and why Russia was not, in fact, a despotism.

Register below!

Crime and Punishment in Early Modern Russia An online lecture with Dr. Nancy Kollmann Was there despotism in early modern Russia? In her lecture, Nancy Kollmann will explore the practice of criminal law in 17th-century Russia. She will discuss how, although Russia was an autocracy, it

06/02/2026

Could you imagine oysters at the Russian imperial table?

A shell-shaped porcelain dish from Alexander III’s coronation service led us into the story of oyster culture in the Russian Empire - from imported luxuries to Crimean oyster farms.

Read the full article on our website: https://www.russianhistorymuseum.org/2026/01/16/oysters-in-the-russian-empire/

05/27/2026

Today beautiful Saint Petersburg, the former capital of the Russian Empire, celebrates its 323rd “birthday” 🎊

Enjoy the images from the album in our collection depicting Petersburg’s landmarks in the early 19th century.

And read the full article with five stories about Petersburg’s iconic spots. Some of them remain largely unchanged since the 19th century, while others have undergone significant metamorphoses or have even been demolished!

https://www.russianhistorymuseum.org/2024/01/08/historic-landmarks-saint-petersburg/ #

05/20/2026

How did Emperor Alexander I and his diplomats rethink European security in a time of major political change? Our new lecture by Dr. Elise Wirtschafter explores Russian diplomacy after the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.

Watch now and share with friends!

How did Emperor Alexander I and his diplomats rethink European security in a time of major political change? The lecture explores Russian diplomacy after the...

05/13/2026

📢 We’re Hiring: Public Engagement & Education Manager

Looking for a museum job? Passionate about education?

The Russian History Museum is hiring a full-time Public Engagement & Education Manager.

This museum job is a great opportunity for candidates interested in education, public history, and community engagement centered on Russian history and culture.

Are you - or someone you know - a great fit?

Read the full job description and apply here: https://www.russianhistorymuseum.org/careers/public-engagement-education-manager/

05/13/2026

📣 We’re Hiring: Curator of Collections

Looking for a museum job?

The Russian History Museum is seeking a full-time Curator of Collections. This career opportunity is ideal for candidates with backgrounds in Russian history, museum collections, archival research, curatorial work, and Slavic studies.

Join a growing institution dedicated to exhibitions, collections stewardship, and the preservation of Russian and émigré history.

Are you - or someone you know - a great fit?

Read the full job description and apply here: https://www.russianhistorymuseum.org/careers/curator-of-collections/https://www.russianhistorymuseum.org/careers/curator-of-collections/

05/06/2026

Join us this Saturday, May 9, for a talk exploring Russian diplomacy in the aftermath of the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. We will learn how Emperor Alexander I and his diplomatic agents understood European security.

Register below!

When Russia Led Europe: Security and Diplomacy after Napoleon An online lecture with Dr. Elise Wirtschafter This lecture is based on Elise Wirtschafter’s recent book devoted to the conceptual history of Russian diplomacy in the aftermath of the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. The book de...

04/17/2026

Join us tomorrow, April 18, for the free online lecture discussing how Mikhail Lomonosov, the 18th-century polymath and poet, turned into a cultural hero.

Discover why Lomonosov personifies the transition from old Russia to the new Petrine era, and how he transformed Russia's approach to science.

Mikhail Lomonosov: The Misremembered Hero An online lecture with Dr. Susan Smith-Peter The lecture will discuss how Mikhail Lomonosov, the 18th century polymath and poet, turned into a culture hero. A culture hero personifies the transition from one era to another, in this case from old Russia to ne...