May 25, 2014
Jordanville, NY: New Museum of Russian History to open at Holy Trinity Monastery

On Sunday, May 18, the Foundation of Russian History previewed its new museum at Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY. It features rare artifacts spanning four centuries of Romanov rule and post-imperial life and culture.

The "Word and Image" exhibit starts in the 1500s and features both secular and sacred pieces of history, including a complete collection of Pushkin’s work, artifacts from the times of the Tsars, and post-revolutionary pieces.

One section of the exhibit holds a special place in the hearts of the descendants of Russian nobility, whose families were exiled from Russia during the Bolshevik coup. From a blouse worn by royalty, to an earring worn by an empress, to silverware used by the royal family with the monogramming filed off by revolutionaries, the artifacts document pieces of history like the assassination of the last royal family in Ekaterinburg.

"Anything that had to do with pre-revolutionary Russia was destroyed. And a lot of cultural collections from that time have survived in the U.S. because the Soviet Union in the 1930s undertook a large sale of cultural goods. That’s why what remains of that era is so special and so important to documenting history," said museum curator Archpriest Vladimir Tsurikov.

Most of the individuals who left Russia came with very little, except their intellect and hard work. And yet, some items were taken out of Russia by fleeing families.

"We’d like to have a place to put what we inherited from our parents," said Cyril Geacintov, President of the Russian Nobility Association. "I have an icon from my grandmother, which was given to her by the [empress] in 1914 because she was running a hospital for people in World War I".

Jordanville became a sort of safety deposit box to guard their memories and treasures. The foundation has acquired records from Russian nobles exiled in America, the last tsar’s cutlery, wooden coat hangers bearing the last empress’ monogram, and weapons used in battles against Bolsheviks. Bullets are still tucked into army uniform pockets. Prayer books, dating to the 16th century, have jewels and paintings embedded in their metal covers.

The foundation also owns typewriters used by Russian monks, glittering imperial banners, church vestments and crystal goblets etched with various empresses’ initials. Drawers are devoted to artifacts from the sites of the Romanov family’s imprisonment and assassination and from the estate of Eugenia Smith, a Rhode Island woman who claimed to be the last tsar’s youngest daughter, the Grand Duchess Anastasia.

On May 17-18, Metropolitan Jonah (Paffhausen) took part in the preview of the Russian History Museum and led a Hierarchal Vigil and Liturgy at Holy Trinity Monastery.

The museum officially opened to the public on Sunday, May 25, during Holy Trinity Seminary's graduation day. Normal museum hours will be Wednesday through Friday 2-5 PM and Saturday and Sunday 1-4 PM, and by advance appointment.

Photos: www.jordanville.org

 

Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese