The Maritime Museum Collections in the Cabinet of Curiosities of the Academy of Sciences (from the history of the Kunstkamera museum acquisitions)

The Admiralty Department was abolished during the reform of the Navy management system at the beginning of the reign of Emperor Nicholas I, which could have resulted in the closure of the Department’s remarkable museum. However, the Imperial Order followed by which all of the Maritime Museum collections were to be transferred to the Cabinet of Curiosities of the Academy of Sciences. To this end, the Naval Authority in conjunction with the Academy of Sciences promptly organized and conducted the transfer of these collections. As a result, the Kunstkamera acquired more than 8,000 valuable historical and cultural artifacts. This episode from the history of the Kunstkamera helps to better understand the relationship between the government and science as well as the history of science and technology as reflected in Russian museum collections.