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The study of museum collections as a method of restoring scientific biography (Mykola Makarenko)
Authors: Nimenko Natalia
Number of views: 386
The article is devoted to the study of the main directions of activity of the outstanding scientist-encyclopedic, archaeologist,
art historian, memorial guardian, one of the founders of the museum affairs in Ukraine M.O. Makarenko (1877-1938). Repressed
by groundless accusations, the scientist had an extremely wide range of scientific interests. He left for himself dozens of
publications of various directions, a series of drawings of archaeological and architectural objects, maps, schemes, reports,
letters, etc. The results of his research, among other things, have become the basis or have greatly supplemented the collections
of many museums.
However, because of politically motivated actions, the name of M.O. Makarenko for many years had disappeared from a
scientific circle, as well as a scientific heritage – was silenced, concealed, and destroyed. Biography of the scientist also has a lot
of «white spots» and requires detailed research, refinement.
One of the centers of constant M.O. Makarenko’s attention was his small homeland – the territory of modern Sumy region.
Throughout his life he tried in various ways to explore this region, to help create memorial and research centers – museums.
Such activity left in itself various notes that miraculously had been preserved in the archives of provincial institutions.
On the basis of collections and materials stored in museums, separate episodes of scientific biography of M.O. Makarenko
have been restored. First of all, these are exhibits from the archaeological and artistic collections of Romny local lore museums,
reporting documentation, letters, diaries, etc., as well as materials that were transferred to the archives of the museums and
that chronologically encompassed mainly twentieth of the XX century. These documents testify to the prominent role of the
scientist in the study of monuments of Sumy region, demonstrate different directions of his activity, specify the chronology of
events and supplement information about the outstanding scientist and citizen.