Located in what was once the Penza Institute for the Nobility is a museum dedicated to Ilya Ulyanov, who worked here from 1855 to 1863 as a physics and maths teacher. As well as being a well-known teacher and school inspector, Ilya Ulianov was also the father of Vladimir Lenin. The museum has four halls dedicated to the social and educational life of 19th century Penza. A monument to Ilya Ulyanov and his wife Maria (Lenin's parents) was unveiled outside the institute in 1969.