When was the State historical museum of the South Urals founded?

The article reconstructs the initial period of the history of the State Historical Museum of the Southern Urals (Chelyabinsk). The purpose of the article is to determine the date of foundation of the museum, for which a wide range of archival sources is analyzed. The modern museum adopted the July 1, 1923 as the founding date. The article proves that the museum’s founding date should be considered September 5, 1913, when a meeting of teachers, local historians and local authorities was held in Chelyabinsk, at which a decision was made to organize natural Museum of History and the local branch of the Ural Society of Natural History Lovers. The article shows that the period 1913-1923. in the history of the museum is filled with events, continuity from the first meeting to the opening on July 1, 1923 can be traced.