1986–2003

Reconstruction

During Soviet times, the museum lost many of the unique interiors carefully designed by its founders, with many architectural elements destroyed and frescos painted over.

In 1986, the museum was closed for renovation in order to upgrade its storage facilities, and in the 1990s a construction project aimed at restoring the building’s original appearance began. In 2003, the museum building originally designed by Vladimir Sherwood was completely renovated.