The Balakovo History Museum has been a branch of the Saratov Regional Museum of Local Lore since July 1986. Having no funds of its own, it started with exhibiting collections from the parent museum. A.A. Derevyanchenko, a local enthusiast in regional studies, has rendered invaluable aid by contributing numerous documents and things. The materials give an account of the history of Balakovo - from a village founded by the Old Believers in the XVIII century and the "wheat capital of the Volga Region" in the XIX century to the present day city.

    The museum has no permanent exposition and is known for its temporary exhibitions. Most of them are based on private collections. The most popular ones have to do with local history, ethnography, our famous countrymen, expeditions of the "Nabat" - the Balakovo scouting unit. Apart from traditional lectures and excursions, we offer other activity types: lessons and meetings in the exposition rooms, readings in local studies for students and schoolchildren, folklore feasts, seminars for school teachers. Mobile expositions are frequently displayed