GYUMRI MUSEUM OF URBAN LIFE

The Museum of Folk Architecture and Urban Life of Gyumri was founded in 1984. The private house of Petros Dzitholtsyan, a rich man from Alexandropol, was provided to the museum, which was built in 1872 and is registered in the list of monuments of the "Kumair" reserve museum.
The opening of the museum took place on February 25, 1984. That day was a memorable day in the cultural life of Leninakan, after five years of reconstruction and restoration, as a branch of the Museum of Ethnography of Armenia, the Museum of Folk Architecture and Urban Life of Gyumri opened its doors.
The ceremonial opening was performed by Donara Harutyunyan, a candidate for the membership of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Armenia, the first secretary of the Leninakan city committee of the Communist Party of Armenia.
The museum functioned until the devastating earthquake of 1988. It is true that the century-old structure withstood the terrible earthquake, but the museum's main function as a cultural center was disrupted, as families who lost their homes took refuge under the museum's walls.
The museum was re-opened in 1997 and has been operating continuously to this day.
Various exhibitions were organized in the museum, during which the museum hosted the most famous and recognized people. life in the 30s of the 19th century. until the 20s of the 20th century. The total number of the museum collection is 2272. The museum building consists of two parts: eastern and western. In the eastern part are presented the plans of Alexandropol from different years, the model of the city, crafts: jewelry, blacksmithing, coppersmithing, tinsmithing, foundry, carpentry, tailoring, shoemaking, carving. In this section, the costume of Alexandropol is presented in all its complexity.
In the western part, the spiritual and cultural life is presented, as well as the interior views of the apartments of the middle and rich classes of Alexandrapol have been restored. 1825 museum exhibits are presented in the permanent exhibition. The model of the city in the 1910s is of great interest. in the form where you can see the 7 churches, famous streets and buildings of the city. The next hall presents the craft of jewelry and silversmithing. Silver belts, bracelets called "Gyumrva Bilazuk" are presented here. Some of the crafts that are widespread in Alexandropol are also presented in the museum: blacksmithing, tinsmithing, foundry, carpentry, tailoring, shoemaking,