Founded in 1876, the museum has actively expanded its collections, which now comprise about 340,000 exhibits, including ancient artifacts, numismatics, ethnographic items, historical documents, and photographs. The museum not only preserves these items but also actively researches the material and spiritual culture of the peoples of Uzbekistan and the whole of Central Asia.
The museum began collecting ethnographic collections from the moment it was founded when private individuals and various societies started donating artworks and local crafts to the museum. A particularly notable contribution to the museum’s collections was made after the transfer of treasures from the treasury of the Khivan Khan in 1927, including jeweled ornaments and cold weapons inlaid with precious stones.
Prominent ethnographers such as M.S. Andreyev, M. Bikzhanova, and others, played a crucial role in the museum's development. Their expeditions and research helped to deepen the understanding of the region's history and culture. These scholars assembled collections that laid the foundation for the systematic study of Uzbekistan’s material culture.
Over the years, the museum's collections were enriched by exhibition samples and exchanges with other museums. For example, in 1969, the Republican Local History Museum of Bashkiria transferred a collection of household items from the peoples of Central Asia to the museum.
The museum continues to be an important cultural center where everyone can explore the history and culture of Uzbekistan and Central Asia. Each year, the museum's collections grow, attracting more visitors eager to learn more about the rich heritage of the region.
You can learn more about the topic in the book-album "The Collection of the State Museum of the History of Uzbekistan" (Part 2, Volume XXVII) in the series "Сultural legacy of Uzbekistan in the world collections".
The general sponsor of the project is the oilfield services company Eriell-Group.