The purpose of this article is to study the phenomenon of celebrating the pedagogical congresses held in southern Ukraine (actually Odesa school district) in the second half of the XIX – early XX century, highlight the historical and methodological issues in the this congresses. Published sources are predominantly published in editions of congresses. Information of interest to us is mainly contained in the sources of the reports - the reports and reports of the companies. Narrative sources, publication of analytical articles about societies in the time magazines and newspapers are an essential addition.Thesis. The main idea of this article is that in the historical and methodological questions did not belong to the leading subjects of occupations of the pedagogical congresses participants on the territory of Southern Ukraine, only after linguistic and natural. This events gave rich material to theorists of pedagogy and officials for further meetings in the Central administrative bodies, the nomination of further reform initiatives. Similar actions for the exchange of views and development of long-term plans were distributed to almost all professional groups. Congresses were a significant factor in the formation of civil society in the Russian Empire and, in particular, in the Dnieper and black sea parts of Ukraine, which were at that time part of this state, significantly increasing its potential.The considerable body of literature dedicated to administration of the educational congresses in the Russian Empire and on the territory of Ukraine.However, historians of education only very casually mentioned the considerations for the development of historical education, which was one of the many issues discussed by the participants of the congresses. The purpose of this article is to highlight the historical and methodological issues in the pedagogical congresses held in southern Ukraine (actually Odessa school district) in the second half of the XIX – early XX century. The sources of our research are mainly Assembly materials – reports, protocols, proceedings of congresses. We also rely on press reports.At the same time, it cannot be said that these issues are ignored. The work of the congresses was revived by the participation of professors in their work. This indicates a close relationship between all levels of education in the educational system of the Russian Empire, which is confirmed by many other data. The merit of the participants of the congresses is the emphasis on the need to ensure interdisciplinary connections, visibility, dissemination of the excursion method. The documents show the existence of both trends towards the democratization of education and the preservation of conservative approaches. If within the first approach the independent work of students, the formulation of their own conclusions were encouraged, as within the second, which should be recognized throughout the period of dominance, the teacher was considered as a carrier of truth and a set of facts that he should broadcast to students. In the context of methodological issues there were discussions of purely historical aspects, historical assessments, a set of outstanding dates and figures, about which the teacher had to tell for a limited time. The materials of the congresses held in the South Ukraine cities testify to the natural desire of some people to take into account local peculiarities and opportunities. All the issues that were discussed by the participants of the congresses are still relevant. The rich historical experience can be quite useful during the solution of modern pedagogical problems and formulation of new perspective problems.