Its collection showcases the history and the development of the City of Moscow.

Museum collection was established on the initiative of Russian scientific community in 1896.

The Moscow City Duma gave it a large collection of exhibits.

In the 20th century the museum several times changed its name and location.

[1] After the demolition of the tower in 1935, the museum was moved to the Church of John the Theologian on the Novaya Ploshchad square.