Periodization of the history of museology (on the example of Saint Petersburg museums)

Abstract

This article examines the little-studied problem of periodization of the history of museology. The author describes the existing approaches of various scholars towards periodization, conducts their critical analysis, and offers original concept. The recommended model of the development of museology is based on the criterion of evolution of state power in the country. The subject of this research is to determine the peculiarities of museum construction in Saint Petersburg (the emergence of new profile groups, changes of social functions, impact of government policy upon museology) during the imperial, Soviet and presidential periods. The proposed methodology does not repeat any of the previously proposed periodization, which defines the novelty of this work. The recommended periodization, first and foremost, would allow conducting comparative analysis of the history of museum construction in different regions, both horizontally – each period, and vertically – between the periods; secondly, it is universal tool for all researchers in solution of research tasks and problems of museology; thirdly, it provides broader regional coverage – for identification of specific, common to certain areas, processes of the development of museology, as well as for introduction of regional material into the overall trend of museum development in Russia.