Web site: http://www-museum.univer.kharkov.ua/

Kharkiv University History Museum is one of the first museums, created at higher educational institutions of Ukraine. It was opened in December 1972. The organizer and the first head of the Museum Board was V.I. Astakhova.

For its 30-year history the Museum has gained recognition as one of the best museum centers at higher educational institutions. It has numerous awards and honorary diplomas, including Diplomas of the Ukrainian Society of Historic Preservation and Culture (1977) and of the Ukrainian SSR Ministry of Culture (1984).

By the Decree of the Ukrainian SSR Ministry for Higher and Specialized Secondary Education of 20 December 1985 the Museum was awarded IV category. By the decision of the University Senate of 30 November 2001 the Museum was incorporated into the School of History while retaining its all-University status. In the same year it was the first to receive a Registration Certificate of a Higher Educational Institution Museum, issued by Kharkiv Regional State Administration.

On 28 January 2005, during the celebrations of the Kharkiv University bicentenary there was held a grand opening of a new Museum exposition on the first floor of the main University building. The Museum was reconstructed with the financial assistance of the Kharkiv University Association of Alumni, Professors and Friends.

Today the Museum has over 15 000 items in its main stock and about 800 additional items. The photograph collection compiled by Y. Simonovskyi has over 10 000 negatives, covering the history of the University.

The Museum hosts temporary exhibitions devoted to anniversaries of prominent University scholars and historic events of the University and the country. The Museum staff does a lot of research and extensive work with Museum collections: adding and organizing new items, amassing video- and photomaterials, gather recollections of University professors and alumni. They also prepare an annual Calendar of Memorable Occasions, add new names to the Book of Honorary Doctors, the Book of Merited Professors, Faculty and Staff, conduct education and publishing activities.

The Museum also has a University History Club with professors and students of the School of History and Museum staff. Its Meetings focus on interesting facts from the University history, search for new exhibits and materials.

Every year the Museum is visited by more than 3 000 students, high school students, guests of the city and the University.

Kharkiv University history Museum has been recognized as one of the best museum centers at Kharkiv higher educational institutions. The Museum staff regularly provides operational assistance in museum management organization to museums at higher educational institutions and schools, participates in many research and training seminars in Museum Studies. In 2004 the Museum was one of the founders of the Association of Museum Staff at Kharkiv Higher Educational Institutions. Y. Puhach was elected the first Director General of the University Museum complex.