Kislovodsk is associated with many creative names, among which Nikolai Alexandrovich Yaroshenko stands out, a Russian painter and portraitist who actively participated in the Peredvizhniki movement.

Yaroshenko loved the North Caucasus so much that in 1885 he decided to move there permanently. Together with his wife, they purchased a plot in Kislovodsk, in an area then known as Kislovodskaya Sloboda, near the resort park. Soon, a small cozy one-story wooden house with five rooms was built, designed by Yaroshenko himself. A picturesque garden with paths and greenery was laid out around the house, and the windows offered a view of the majestic Caucasus Mountains.

The house was named "White Villa," under which it is known today. The couple was often visited by notable guests from St. Petersburg: Dmitry Mendeleev, Konstantin Stanislavsky, Sergei Rachmaninoff, as well as artists Ilya Repin, Mikhail Nesterov, Arkhip Kuindzhi, and other members of the Society. Fyodor Shalyapin, a frequent visitor to the villa, adorned the resort evenings with his tenor.

Yaroshenko lived in the "White Villa" until the end of his days. He often walked the surroundings with an easel and paints in search of inspiration. One of these walks turned out to be fatal for him. Returning after another search, he was caught in a heavy downpour, could not find shelter, and froze severely while making his way home. The next day he died of a heart attack at the age of 52.

After his death, a memorial museum-estate was opened in the "White Villa," showcasing the artist's paintings, personal belongings, sketches, and drafts. The estate regularly hosts temporary exhibitions dedicated to various artists and themes. Yaroshenko was awarded the title of Honorary Citizen of Kislovodsk.