G.N. Potanin and Tomsk charity society for elementary education
<i>G.N</i>. Potanin's activity as a traveler and a scientist is well-known, however, it is necessary to study not only his scientific heritage, but also his practical work experience in public organizations. In the given article G.N. Potanin's work as a part of the oldest and the largest elementary education Care Society in Tomsk, based by P.I. Makushin in 1882, is investigated. In the article G.N. Potanin's role in the organization of the Museum of applied knowledge, work at the head of the commission of national readings, and also his activity as a chairman of the school society is considered. The museum which Potanin began to manage, had existed on paper for many years. The decision on its opening was accepted in 1887. The museum had its own room and a confirmed charter. However the actual opening of the museum took place much later because of the long absence of the keeper who possessed special knowledge of museum affairs. After the invitation of a conservative G.N. Potanin, the organization of the museum went quickly enough, and its opening for the public took place in 1904. G.N. Potanin made collections on zoology, botany and geology, and also wrote the petition to the municipal duma about the necessity of an annual grant for the museum development and maintenance. The museum worked actively up to its liquidation in 1920 and was popular with the public. G.N. Potanin's activity as a chairman of the society from March till October in 1904, is the most interesting and little investigated. During 3 months of work it was possible for the board led by G.N. Potanin to collect more than 5 000 roubles on current expenditures and to pay off part of the society's debts. Errors in the work of the previous managing committee and the increased supervision of the society by administration did not allow to keep the situation under control and to get the society over the financial crisis. Grave financial situation of the society was aggravated with Russian-Japanese war. To get the society over the financial crisis and to regain its former authority G.N.Potanin suggested to redirect the line of activity from school to out-of-school activity, as was made in 1905, shortly before the closure of the society. Potanin's activity as a part of the elementary education Care Society was difficult and diverse and wasn't limited to the practical current work on restoration of the Museum of applied knowledge or to the commission of public readings. Strategic vision of prospects of educational movement and the analysis of the way passed by the society that had been carried out by him allowed to draw up a scheme of the further development of the society and its recovery from crisis.