The Kunstkamera, the Cradle of Every Scientific Institution of the Academy of Sciences

All the scientific institutions of the Academy of Sciences were born in the Kunstkamera. And in its very centre, in the circular hall, stands what is perhaps the key exhibit: the round table at which the academicians sat in session. It came to the museum from the Manuscripts Department of the Library of the Academy of Sciences. Naturally, no institution likes to part with its holdings, still less with such precious objects. And despite the order of the Academy's president, Sergey Vavilov, the library's director, Yakovkin, dug in his heels: "As for the round table, it is absolutely indispensable for displaying new acquisitions, and the Library is at present unable to replace it with any other table. Besides, it must be borne in mind that the dimensions of this table require it to be dismantled before it can be carried out of the premises, which, given its decrepitude and the lack of experienced craftsmen, may result in serious damage." But Vavilov's resolution was peremptory: "The round table at which the academicians sat must without fail be transferred to the museum." It was at this very table that the Lomonosov Museum was opened on 5 January 1949.