In September 1996, in an old two-story red-brick building with a wing previously owned T.V.Chulkovu Timber merchants, opened a museum of the city of Yoshkar-Ola. Interesting historical facts and events in 16-20 centuries. in the city, gathered in the main exhibition "Ancient Tsarevokokshaisk." The museum houses more than seventeen thousand exhibits of arts and crafts, collections, ethnography, archeology and heraldry items, photographs, artwork and more, mainly associated with the life of the city. History Museum conducts active work to revive the culture of folk festivals, local lore holds lectures and evening meetings with creative people. In May 2005, the museum added an exposition of military glory. In two halls displayed the history of the Great Patriotic War and in the annals of materials illustrating the military events.

The museum building with patterned ornaments and metallic thread was constructed in 1911 and is located in the historic city. Earlier this place towered fortifications Tsaryova on Kokshaga city, founded in 1584.

Museum of the History of Yoshkar-Ola - a keeper of traditions, customs, culture and life of the peoples of the Republic of Mari El and its capital. For tourists interested in the history of the oldest cities in Russia, Yoshkar-Ola Museum - an indispensable point of the excursion program.