In 1837 in Astrakhan was open the museum. The description of the first exposition was kept in "Записки об Астрахани" by M.S.Rybushkin and in "The Astrakhan sheets".

    In 70 years XIX century with creation Petrovsky society of the researchers of the Astrakhan edge considerably have replenished with collections. In 1980 of a collection of a museum were awarded by the diplomas of the Kazan commercial and industrial exhibition. In 1911 the museum was placed in a building urban Duma, where and until now is the museum.

    To 70 years of XX century there was a network of branches. In 1974 Astrakhan Kremlin was transferred to a museum, on the basis of which in 1980 the Historical-Architectural Museum-Preserv was created. Now in his structure 6 urban and 5 village branches.