Usov’s House

The House of merchant G.V. Usov is situated on the embankment of the city. The two-storeyed private residence of classical style was constructed at the end of XVIII century. For its long history the house had several owners and has undergone changes in its architectural shape.

At the beginning of 1930th the house became a museum. Now here expositions of the Department of History and Art Department of Memorial Estate are exhibited.
The historical exposition acquaints the visitors with the history of Great Ustyug of XII - beginning of XX centuries.

Archeological finds, subjects of arms of XII-XVI centuries, icons and crosses, original photo reconstructions and other materials testify about the life and beliefs of the Finno-Ugric and Slavic population of the region, about a role of Ustyug and Ustyug’s people in Christian and economic colonization of the northeast lands, in creation of the unique Russian state under supervision of Moscow.

Remarkable originals of XVII century: Wooden carved candlesticks, carved chests-teremoks, jeweler ornaments, products with enamel, coins, canvases with a heeltap, samples of foreign fabrics, agramantov and braids, the silver ladle and other subjects - represent Great Ustyug as large trade and craft center of Russian North. The special section of the exposition of this period is devoted to the communications of Great Ustyug with Siberia, Ustyug;s people-trailblazers. The weapon of Russian Cossacks, model kocha, a bright beads, walrus’s fang attract our attention.

In XVIII century Great Ustyug was the center of Ustyug’s province and both of Great Uspozh and Totem dioceses, was rich merchant city. Among subjects of the given period portraits of Ustyug’s people, the press of the policeman of city council with the arms of Great Ustyug, silver and copper coins, rich contributions of Ustyug’s merchants in local temples, equipment of trade merchant courts are remarkable. In several show-windows - excellent products of talented Ustyug’s craftsmen. Skillfully made icons, graceful caskets, silver utensils, products of the factories of brothers A. and S.Popovs, filigree things, polychrome tiles speak about variety and a high level of art culture of provincial northern city.

The life of Great Ustyug at XIX - the beginning of XX century is reflected with numerous monuments of history and culture of this period. Separate complexes are devoted to Ustyug’s merchant class, development of study of local lore and opening of the first city museum - church repository.

The special place in an exposition of an art department is devoted to the leading crafts of Great Ustyug.

Unique art of blackening on silver has brought to this small northern city world-wide popularity. Ustyug’s blackening was especially popular at the second half of XIX – at the beginning of XIX centuries. Northern blacken is the best in Russia. On bracelets and cuff links, rulers and spoons we can see thin silver architectural ensembles of Great Ustyug and graceful flower ornaments. A silver table set consisting of 42 subjects decorated by tiny figures of A.S.Pushkin’s poems is of great interest. On the World's fair in Paris in 1937 this work had got a gold medal and the diploma of 1-st degree.

Usov’s House is one of the most visited monuments of the State Historical and Architectural and Art Memorial Estate of Great Ustyug.

Its expositions give to the visitors an opportunity to become the eyewitnesses of rich centuries-old history of ancient city in the North of Russia.