Description of the attraction
The Museum of Rostov Merchants is located on Leninskaya Street, 32, in the former estate of the Kekin merchants. This imposing mansion took more than a hundred years to build, from the late 18th to the early 20th centuries. In 1835, the house was acquired by one of the richest Rostov merchants - the Kekins. Kekins from the townspeople were enrolled in the "falconers", they supplied trained birds to the royal court, for which they were awarded lands. The Kekins traded in St. Petersburg, Kazan, Samara, but most of all they had established ties with Khiva and Bukhara.
A lot is connected with this surname in the history of Rostov, in particular, the construction of the best gymnasium in Rostov and the region, the creation of the "Rolma" linen factory, the installation of city water supply networks, and extensive charitable activities. Alexei Leontyevich Kekin allocated large funds for the restoration of the abandoned and crumbling Kremlin of Rostov, and for the opening of a museum of church antiquities there in 1883.
The mansion is an elongated two-story building with two triangular gables. On its façade, no particularly outstanding elements of decoration have survived; its interiors are of much greater interest.
The main house and outbuildings were rebuilt many times. After 1917, the building housed an agricultural technical school, and in 1999 the building was transferred to the Rostov Museum. For nine years, restoration has been going on here, and in 2008 a museum dedicated to the Rostov merchants was opened.
In the old halls of the mansion, the interiors of those times are recreated, authentic things belonging to the Kekin family are presented.
The museum exposition tells about the history of the Kekin merchant family, the most famous in Rostov, and about its famous representative - Alexei Leontievich Kekin. The spirit of a merchant's estate is reproduced in the interiors of the museum.
In the front "Hallway" - views of the city of Rostov in the first half of the 19th century, presented in plans and engravings, portraits of representatives of the city merchants. The interior of the Living Room tells about the history of the Kekins family and their estate. "Boudoir" or "Ladies' drawing room" with the help of interior items, jewelry, clothing, handicraft devices immerses visitors into the world of a woman of a merchant environment, acquaints with the range of her hobbies and occupations. In the "Dining room" you can see a large table, served with porcelain dishes, and other dining furniture. "Cabinet" introduces the charitable activities of the merchant A. L. Kekin, his will and legacy.
In addition, the halls of the mansion showcase the works of artists, photographers, masters of decorative and applied art from Rostov.
