Krasnodar's Felitsyn State Historical and Reserve Museum was established to preserve Kuban's historical and cultural heritage. The museum possesses extensive collections of ancient decorative and applied art objects, weaponry, archaeological and paleontological artifacts as well as natural history, ethnographic and other historical exhibits, manuscripts, documents, stamps, military orders and decorations seals and signet rings, as well as many other historical and cultural objects. The archaeological and ethnographic collections are especially well-known to specialists and lovers of the past around the world. The museum also has what is considered to be the largest collection of ancient amphorae (ceramic vessels). The museum has also accumulated a rich scientific library with a considerable store of rare books. Many historical and archaeological objects discovered in Kuban in various historical periods are now gracing exhibitions at the Hermitage (St. Petersburg), the State Historical Museum (Moscow)