In the Moscow region of Kolomna, there is an amazing house resembling a castle and serving as a smaller copy of the Winter Palace created by Rastrelli. This three-story building has the third floor used as an attic, the second designated for living quarters, and the first housing the kitchen and storerooms. The interiors are adorned with arches, Dutch tiled stoves, gilded stucco ceilings, and the walls are covered with silks and damask. Surrounding the house is a park in a regular French style with elegant parterres, well-kept lawns, and a linden alley leading through fountains and gazebos to the Hermitage pavilion. This garden pavilion, intended for solitude and contemplation, is only surpassed in size by the main house, but not in elegance.

In 1775, Catherine II visited this house during her two-day visit to Kolomna. She hosted the wives and daughters of merchants here, admiring their natural beauty and the wealth of their pearl and gemstone decorations. N. Pisarev recalls seeing a miniature portrait of Catherine II in a Kolomna kokoshnik and necklace worn by one of the high-ranking nobles. From the ceremonial journal of 1775, it is known that the Empress was greeted in Kolomna not only with bread and salt but also with pastila.

The Meshchaninov family was of merchant origin and quite noble. I. T. Meshchaninov was one of the first to open a private distillery, and later woolen factories.