Irkutsk regional Museum of local lore is one of the oldest museums in Russia, was established in December 1782, the Initiator of its Foundation was made by the Governor of the Irkutsk F. Nickname. He urged the city fathers to allocate funds for the construction of the Museum and the first book Depository.

The heyday of the Irkutsk regional Museum was in 1854, when he became the center for the study of Siberia, scientific storage and educational institution, which contributed to the opening of the Siberian Department of Russian geographical society in 1851, maintained and handed over to the Museum. As a result of the big fire that occurred in 1879 in Irkutsk, suffered much of the city, including the building of the Museum where a 22 thousand exhibits, and a library with 10 thousand books. In October, 1883, was built a new stone building of the Museum. In 1920 the Irkutsk Museum esrgs nationalized and handed over to the state.

Today the Museum has more than 450 thousand exhibits, reflecting the society and the nature of Eastern Siberia and adjacent territories. Currently regional Museum consists of six exhibition departments: Department of history, Department of nature, Museum Studio, a Division of the "Window to Asia", Research-stock division and the book Fund.

The history Department is located in the former building of the Museum esrgs, erected in 1883, in the Moorish style on the draft prepared by the architect Baron G. Rosen. Division of nature is a beautiful, spacious two-storey building, which is the town's landmark. The building was built in 1903 in an eclectic style. Before the revolution of 1917 the building belonged to the Siberian publisher and educator P. Makushino. Museum Studio is a new exhibition space Museum. Its opening was held in October 2005, One of the main objectives of the Studio is considered to be a fashion show of the Irkutsk regional Museum.

The Department "Window to Asia" is recreated in the historical quarter of the town. The exhibition is dedicated to the contribution of Irkutsk, researchers in Siberia and the Far East in the study, development and annexation of North-East Asia to Russia. Research and stock Department was founded in 2008, Its main tasks is information support of activities of the regional Museum in the media, shaping and promoting its positive image. In the Division of the book collection has more than 90 thousand copies, this included books, Newspapers and magazines. The library was founded simultaneously with the Museum in 1782