The Museum of the History of Irkutsk started its life as part of the history department of the Regional Museum which moved into its own building in 2009. Today the history has four main expositions: the Archaeology and Ethnography of Irkutsk, Irkutsk in the 17th and 18th Centuries, 19th Century Irkutsk and 20th Century Irkutsk and details the city's multi-national character and the daily lives of its people throughout the ages. 

Located in the same building is the Craft House where traditional local handicrafts are kept alive. In addition, the museum also has several branches around the city: an exhibition centre (3 Ulitsa Khalturina), a museum dedicated to Soldiers of the Fatherland (5 Ulitsa Chaikovskogo), and the Museum of City Life which includes the Museum of Tea (77 Ulitsa Dekabrskykh Sobyty).