The museums of Tomsk State University, established mainly at the end of the 19th century, are now an integral part of the scientific and educational process.
The majority of the university museums and Herbarium had been set up before the university itself was opened. The exhibits of all museums are used in the academic process as visual aids to various courses and for the enlightenment of students and city residents.
Museum of the History of Tomsk State University
Familiarizes its visitors with the main stages in the history of TSU that was founded by Emperor Alexander II on May 16 (28), 1878. It also gives examples of educational, research, cultural, and social facts of TSU activities over 125 years. The display consists of 6 sections comprising over a thousand exhibits.
Museum of Archeology and Ethnography
Founded in 1882. The exhibits of the museum illustrate all aspects of life of "tomskovites" for over 140,000 years, starting from the Stone Age to the traditional cultures of native Siberian peoples.
Museum of Zoology
Set up in 1885. Its collection contains exhibits of 588 bird species including 60% of those entered in the Red Book, more than 150 species of mammals, and a great number of invertebrate animals.
Museum of Mineralogy
Founded in 1888. The museum collection includes over 50,000 samples. Theme exhibitions are organized on a regular basis. A separate display is devoted to the mineral resources of the Tomsk Region.
Museum of Paleontology
Set up in 1888. Its holdings consist of 7 training and over 100 research collections which amounts to about 2 mln catalogued items.
Museum of the History of Physics
Contains over a thousand appliances, a very rich archive, and thousands of photos. Some exhibits of the museum are appliances brought to Tomsk by the first TSU Rector N.A.Gesehous in 1888.
Herbarium
Opened in 1885. It is rated third in Russia and the first in Siberia owing to the richness and research value of its collection. Today it includes 500,000 plants and 12 research thematic divisions.