History of Russia: The Omsk Region Historical Archives released "Omsk During the First World War" presentation project

In the exhibition halls of the Civil War History Center the Omsk Region Historical Archives have introduced a new historical-documentary presentation project titled "Omsk During the First World War", dedicated to the memorable date in Russian history - the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the first global military conflict.

The exhibition’s objective is to revive and to strengthen the spiritual and ethical traditions and cultural values of Russian society and its armed forces in the context of familiarization with a documentary heritage of the Russian Federation and the Irtysh Basin near Omsk.

New historical and archival exhibition tells about the role of the Omsk city’s part in the period of national history from August 1914 to the end of 1917. Specific display cases describe the mobilization activities, tactical mission of Omsk in the First World War, the efforts of Omsk military hospitals, Omsk everyday routine of the military, renowned historical figures. As distinct from the similar projects accomplished by other institutions, this exhibition is rich on documentary entries. Covering the period of the First World War documents were kept in the dozens of pre-revolutionary funds of the Omsk Region Historical Archives, but most of them have never been displayed before. Among revealed documents there are the decrees and orders of the central and regional authorities, a correspondence between various institutions, the photographs, Russian and foreign periodicals, propaganda materials in exhibition vitrines and demonstration stands. A separate stand displays a set of the archive documents of Moser family, five members of which, well known in the pre-revolutionary Omsk, become career officers, participants in the First World War.

The antiques became a reasonable addition to the true archival documents, offering samples of domestic and foreign insignia, military uniform, bonistics and numismatics, household items, as well as personal belongings of the captives of World War I. These exhibits were transferred to the Civil War History Centre from the Urban Life Museum (The Omsk City Art Museum’s branch) and private collections.