Development of museums in Russia

This thesis work titled as "Development of museums in Russia", describes the history of museums in a chronological order which reflects the dynamics of cultural and social development from the 18th century to the present with its specific preconditions. It is aimed to provide suggestions for the key issues that can be detected as a result of the chronological research and the topics that are open to development. In this context, the influences of Peter I and Catherine II are mentioned particularly in the foundation and development of Kuntskamera, the first museum of Russia with its rich collections, developed and ranked among the most outstanding museums of Western Europe in less than 30 years. In addition, the Ermitage museum with its various features and similarities to top museums and the great examples of local and public museums such as Irkutsk Museums, Treyakov Gallery and Moscow University Museum of Fine Arts and etc. are examined within the framework of collections and exhibitions, visitors and events. In the first chapter, the creation of cabinets and galleries as well as the establishment of prerequisites for foundation of scientific, educational and natural history museums in the 18th and 19th centuries are stated. In the second chapter, the systematic work for the establishment and administration of museums during USSR and the declining trend in museum network during war time are pointed out. Furthermore, the measures and plans taken for the restoration of museums in order to revive the post-war museums are explained. In the third chapter, the rise of museums after the Second World War and a period of "museum boom" between 1960-1980s are explained in details. In this section, the changes in the political and economic spheres, the reorganisation of the USSR and the return of the missing artifacts, popular and daily exhibitions about russian history for the establishment of contemporary museums, steps taken in the field of museology for digitalization, innovative technologies, projects and programs for the development of museums are featured in details. The rapid development of tourism in the country, the decisions adopted in the conservation of monuments and masterpieces as well as the working platform created by the state institutions in collaboration with public organizations play an important role in rising prominence of museums with new ideas and organisations. Russia experienced the development of museums at the same time with social development. Thus, the studies of public organizations and the exchange of ideas of the society in this field are very important for the development of the museums in Russia. Key Concepts: Museums in Russia, the Kunstkamera, Hermitage Museum, collections, museums of the USSR, contemporary museology