The Kaluga Region Museum of Art was opened in 1918 in the house of local doctor Nikanor Vasiliev, who left his art collection to the city. Later the museum received more works of art which were confiscated from nationalised estates. Several works of art were lost during the Nazi occupation as they couldn't be evacuated in time. In 1969 the museum moved to its present location in the early 19th century Bilibin Estate. Its exhibits include icon removed from local churches, Russian and Western European paintings, sculptures and applied art.