House of the Free Economic Society

The central part of the House of the Free Economic Society is a small two-story mansion in the Classical style, built in 1806–1810 by an unknown architect. In 1902, the building was reconstructed by architect V. Pyasetsky to accommodate the Soil Museum, a chemical laboratory, an office, and a smallpox vaccination institution, which were located there from 1872 to 1918. In 1905, members of the Executive Committee of the Council of Workers' Deputies were arrested in the Pompeian Hall of the house. The Free Economic Society, which occupied this place, is considered one of the oldest scientific organizations and the first public organization of the Russian Empire.