Historical department

History of Totma is rich, interesting and unique.

Settling of Finno-Ugric tribes, in XI century the Old Russian population of northeast territories came here, the first settlement of Totma’s people in the mouth of small river Old Totma, all these are the initial pages of Totma’s history.

In XV century the new administrative centre - Posad of Totma’s Salt was founded. Scientists consider, exactly here for the first time in Russia mine wells were dug, here people began to extract underground hydrochloric waters. Workers of hydrochloric varnits lifted tubs with a brine and evaporated salt on iron devices. Salt during that period was one of the most important food stuffs and the goods of high demand. XVI - XVII centuries were the beginning of economic development of region. It was promoted by opening(in 1553) of Northern trading way which passed across Sukhona and Northern Dvine rivers, and after Ermak’s conquest of Siberia at the end of XVI century - through northern cities from Moscow to Siberia. During this period Totma’s people sold salt, furs, bread, flax, wood, tar and wax. Salt-making, iron-making, forging and other crafts were actively developed. Totma became commercial and industrial center.

The bright trace in history of Totma was left by Peter I who was here three times. During his visits (in1693,in1694,in1702) sovereign visited Spaso-Sumorin monastery and old Posad of Totma’s Salt. Many legends are connected with the name of tsar.

XVIII century is the Golden Age of Totma’s merchants. Totma’s people had trading communications with Siberia, China, equipped trade expeditions to islands of Pacific Ocean. So Catherine II on the 2d of October, 1780 founded the arms of the city in a gold floor with the image of the black fox as a token of that, " that inhabitants of this city in catching these animals practice ". In 1781 the plan of city was approved.

In XIX century Totma is provincial, cultural and intelligent city. In Totma the following establishments were opened: a hospital, a drugstore, a post office, a telegraph, a public library, a female programmer school, man's teacher's seminary, etc. In the building of Public Assembly, there were the performances by actors of local theatre and literary-musical performances. There were three orchestras in city.