The State Memorial Museum of the Defense and Blockade of Leningrad has begun as an aexhibition called "The Great Patriotic War of the Soviet People against German Fascism", which had opened in Leningrad in August 1941. It is the only military museum in the world that was founded during World War II.
   On the 4th of December 1943, because of the great popularity of the exhibition, the Military Council has adopted a decree on the organization of the exhibition "The Heroic Defense of Leningrad". A special commission was created for the organization of this exhibition, and it was decided to hold it in the premises of Solyanoy Gorodok. On January 20, 1944 order No. 1 was issued that accepted first staff members for the exhibition: decorators, sculptors, model-makers, historians, researchers. Experienced museum specialists have participated in the creation of the exhibition. The work proceeded at a very fast speed, and on April 30, 1944 the formal opening of the exhibition took place. Its success surpassed all expectations: over the first six month of its work, the exhibition was visited by over 220 thousand people.
    On October 5, 1945 by the order of the Council of People's Commissars of the Russian Federation "The Heroic Defense of Leningrad" exhibition was transformed into a museum of national importance. Its official opening occurred on January 27, 1946.
   The museum's large area allows it to house 37,654 exhibits that reflect the military activities of the Soviet forces on the Leningrad front as well as the actions of the Baltic Fleet and the tragic 900-day blockade of the city. Among other exhibits there are genuine samples of the Soviet Army equipment of the war period: heavy tanks, various types of planes, far-range artillery.
    Noone could feel untouched by the sight of a streetcar deformed by fragments of a shell. Next to it in the window lay bloody pieces of clothing, purses, documents (among these - bread coupons) - all that remained of the passengers was presented there.
    It seemed as if the museum that preserves priceless relics of the unprecedented Leningrad battle should live forever, reminding the new generations of this phenomenon of human and civil courage and military heroism, but in reality the contrary has happened. The Museum of the Defense of Leningrad became the victim of the so-called "Leningrad Case".
    On February 21, 1949 the Secretary of the Central Committee of All-Russian Communist Bolshevik Party G.M. Malenkov has arrived in Leningrad. A united plenary meeting of the Leningrad District Committee and the City Council of the Party was held, and Malenkov expressed harsh criticism of city authorities on it. A violent political reprisal against city officials of all ranks began. The workers of the Museum of Defense were, among other things, accused of ascribing undeserved fame to warriors and peaceful residents of the city, of creating a myth about the special significance of Leningrad's blockade, of diminishing the role of comrade Stalin in the defense of the city, and other things.
    A special Commission of the Party was created, and after its punishing decree the museum was closed to visitors. After this, however, a three-year prolongation followed until August 31, 1951, when by orders of the Council of Ministers of the U.S.S.R. all premises of the State Museum of Defense were transferred to the Navy Ministry. During those years the workers of the museum under the harsh pressure of the government tried to create reasonable conditions for museum work: they added materials to museum funds, restored documents, conducted research.
    After the transfer of the building to the Navy Ministry and the creation of the "Liquidation Commission" on November 17, 1952, the future of the museum was decided. All funds, historical and auxhiliary materials, the archives and services equipment were given to the State Museum of the History of Leningrad, a portion of the exhibits - to the Museum of October Revolution, another portion - to local military units and museums. Some other exhibits were damaged or altogether lost.
    Years had passed since then. Those who still remembered the Museum of the Defense of Leningrad hoped for its rebirth. The opportunity for a public discussion of this problem had not existed until 1988. At that time, well-known writers and scholars have taken a public stand for the restoration of the museum. Their initiative was supported by war veterans and survivors of the blockade. A support group was created which opened up an account for donations and created a committee for the restoration of the museum. The main part of the museum's activities is directed towards revealing the history of the Leningrad battle to the public. The State Memorial Museum of the Defense and Blockade of Leningrad is a research and educational institution, created for storing and exhibiting of documents, artifacts and other objects tied to the history of the Leningrad battle. The museum tells the tale of the historic battle in a visible and graphic way, from its very start to its victorious conclusion.
    The museum presently contains over 40,000 exhibits. It consists of the main collection, the exhibition hall, the lecture and concert complex, funds and book archives.
    More than 50 exhibitions have been held in the museum. Some of them later travelled to other places, such as "Painting, Sculpture and Graphic Arts of the Blockade City", presented in England and France in 1994-1995. "Leningrad in Blockade" has travelled to many cities of Russia.
   The museum possesses a significant collection of military equipment and armaments, located outside the building in the open air. It actively searches for any materials related to those who have fought at the Leningrad front and participated in guerilla warware against the German troops. It has a branch in the village of Kokorevo on the shore of Ladoga.
   The art collection of the museum is chiefly aimed at acquiring works of art created by those who either lived in the city during the blockade or fought at the front. The museum's manuscript fund contains unique diaries of Russians who have lived in the city through the blockade as well as German prisoners-of-war. The museum's collection also contain materials that shed light on completely unknown aspects of blockade life: for instance, few people know that athletic events were held in the city during that time.
   The museum main goal for the nearest future is the creation of the new main collection whose expressive image would be able to reflect accurately reflect the heroic and tragic atmosphere of the war. The museum's exhibitions are intended to complement the main collection and to attract popular interest.

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