The museum of Decembrists in S.G. Volkonsky’s house was opened on the 10th of December 1985 after the restoration that took 11 years. Originally Volkonsky’s house was built in Urik settlement of the Irkutsk province in 1838. In 1846 the Volkonskys purchased a piece of land in Irkutsk opposite the Church of the Transfiguration and Saviour and brought their house into this city. Volkonsky’s house was a centre of Irkutsk social life in the middle of the XIX century. Balls and masquerades for youth, literary, musical and theatre evenings were held in this house. 17 of 30 years that the Volkonskys passed in Siberia are associated with this house.