Description of the attraction
The museum began functioning in 1983 and is a branch of the Vologda Museum-Reserve. It is located in an old mansion dating from 1810 - a monument of architecture and urban planning in Vologda. The building is a two-storey stone house in the city center not far from the Kremlin. Previously, this building was a specific department, and nowadays it is a teacher training college, according to the schedule of which the museum is open. Here, in the family of G. A. Grevens, who was KN Batyushkov's nephew and guardian, passed the final years of his life (1845-1855) of the famous Russian poet, a native of Vologda, Konstantin Nikolaevich Batyushkov (1787-1855), who was the predecessor of A. S. Pushkin and his poetry teacher.
A small exposition of the museum, which is located in two halls, tells about the interesting, but very difficult fate of the poet. Here you can learn about his ancestors, environment, his friends, about creativity and love, about those memorable places where Batyushkov visited. A person with a contradictory character appears before us: now optimistic, now plunged into deep depression, now melancholic, now passionate, now suffering, now careless.
The atmosphere of the 19th century opens up to the visitors. In the first hall, guests get acquainted with the life, as well as with the creative activity of Konstantin Nikolaevich (letters, autographs, documents, engravings, drawings, books). It was here, in this small corner room on the second floor with a wonderful view of the Vologda Kremlin, that the last years of Batyushkov's life passed.
In the next hall of the museum, the living room of the Grevens' apartment appears, recreated from the recollections of N. V. Berg, a contemporary of Batyushkov, with a classic interior: medallion-shaped frames, plaster figures, parquet flooring, an old samovar, mahogany and bronze items, a round table, mirrors. Unfortunately, no memorial things have survived, but the whole furnishings remind us of what the room looked like during Batyushkov's lifetime. A poet came here, looked out the window, played with the children, received guests. The poet's library has not survived either, but thanks to works, letters and notebooks, the museum staff were able to restore the circle of his reading.
Schoolchildren are active visitors to the museum. In the museum, they can not only get acquainted with the biography of the poet, but also get in touch with history, feel the atmosphere of that time, visit the apartment where Batyushkov lived. Specially tailored suits help them to more easily get used to the era of the 19th century. Young visitors are happy to try on a dress and uniform. The theme presented in the museum's exposition is of considerable importance for the aesthetic, as well as for the patriotic education of adolescents. Learning about the poet's military exploits, the younger generation discovers Batyushkov not only as a poet, but also as a courageous defender of the homeland, a true patriot. Students visit the museum no less actively. They study in great detail the work of Batyushkov, write creative, as well as scientific research works.
Annually, the museum-apartment hosts festive events timed to the birthday of Konstantin Nikolaevich Batyushkov. The employees of the library named after V. I. Babushkina, teachers, students and pupils of different educational institutions. Museum staff make trips with schoolchildren to the Spaso-Prilutsky Monastery to lay flowers on the grave of their fellow countryman, honor his memory and conduct a tour of the monastery. The museum hosts musical and literary evenings, scientific conferences, concerts, meetings and excursions for the younger generation.
