The Narva Museum is one of the oldest museums in Estonia. The historical museum opened in Peter the Great's palace in 1865 after the Narva Society of Citizens of the Great Guild acquired the structure. The museum displayed the collections of the Narva Archaeological Society, as well as items kept in the house of Peter the Great.
In August 1913, the grand opening of the Lavretsov Museum took place. The basis of the gallery's collection was the private collection of the Lavretsovs' spouses. The merchant collected their collection of paintings, graphics, applied art and ethnography for many years. It was possible to get acquainted with this exposition even before the museum was opened. And in 1902, merchant Lavretsov bequeathed his collection to the city. In 1933 the Palace of Peter the Great and the Lavretsov Museum were united. After that the historical collection was housed in the Peter the Great House, and the Lavretsov Museum became an ethnographic and art museum.
In the summer of 1941, some of the museum's exhibits were evacuated to Leningrad. Those collections that still remained were displayed here until 1944. In the same year, during the battles for the city, the museum buildings were destroyed and the exhibits were taken out of Narva and transferred to the Tallinn City Museum, Rakvere and Paide museums.
Starting from 1949, the exhibits were gradually returned to Narva. In June 1950 the museum was opened on the territory of Narva Castle in the building of the former garrison bath. In 1986 the first stage of restoration of the Narva Castle was completed. The Long Hermann Tower, as well as the western and southern wings, became accessible to the public. In 1989 the exposition of the Narva Museum, which covered the period from the 13th century to the beginning of the 18th century, was opened here. In 1991 the Art Gallery was opened, where visitors could not only get acquainted with the works of art of the present and the past, but also listen to lectures on the history of art, as well as meet the authors of exhibitions in the lecture hall. In addition, for those wishing to try their hand at artistry, there was the opportunity to take part in a creative lesson or masterclass. In 1996, another exhibition covering the period from the 18th to the 19th century was opened in the restored northern wing. In 2007, the North Court was opened in the courtyard of the castle. It attempted to recreate a part of the 17th century town where the craftsmen of the time lived. In summer, visitors to the museum are immediately transported to the history centre, where they can personally try their hand at one or another ancient craft.
