Abstract: The purpose of the work is to identify, classify and analyze existing historiographical publications on the history of museum business. The study used general historical principles: objectivity, scientific and historicism, as well as methods of systematization and chronological. One of the significant features marking the latest trends in the Russian museum business can be characterized by the appearance of a significant number of publications devoted to the activities of museums, the history of their funds, collections, individual exhibits. At the same time, Russian museum literature has not received a broad historiographical assessment. Russian museologists drew attention to the incompleteness of the Russian historiography of museum business. This study was carried out for the first time, the result of it is the grouping of the entire set of submitted works according to the problem-thematic principle and conclusions on historical periods are given. According to the pre-revolutionary period, it should be noted that at that time the museum business was a fairly new type of professional activity, not fully formed and institutionalized. The Soviet period is characterized by increased research interest and attention to the problem of museums and the historiography of museum business. But the scientific and theoretical groundwork was still being formed at a slow pace. The democratization of society as a whole and the social sphere, education and culture has led to more extensive research of museum business. It is in the modern period that publishing and research activity is significantly increasing.
In conclusion, promising directions for further research within the framework of the topic under consideration are presented.

Abstract: This article examines museum construction in one of the major Russian regions – Saint Petersburg of the XVIII – early XX centuries. The author determines four stages: early museums, specialized museums, new field-specific groups, museum expansion; as well as their key traits and peculiarities. Special attention is turned to the latter stage – museum expansion (1894-1916). The author presents the matrix of all established museums in chronological order, their founders, year of creation, and relations with the field-specific groups. The scientific novelty consists in the attempt to fill the gap by carrying out a first comprehensive research dedicated to museum development in Saint Petersburg of the imperial period. In order to reflect the processes unfolding in the history of museums of Saint Petersburg, the author reveals the trends and patterns, indicates the significance of museums created by the contemporaries, and demonstrates the link between the emergence of museums and the economic upswing in the country. Colossal experience of museum construction of Saint Petersburg, understanding of its importance in preservation of cultural and historical heritage, as well as progressive ideas of museum figures served as the prerequisite for creating the state supervision system and museum legislation, and allow outlining the ways for future development of museums.