The Mariinsky orphanage was founded on April 21, 1847, and named after Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna, who owned lands in the Tambov province. The house for the orphanage was donated by a well-known philanthropist from Tambov, Tatiana Ivanovna Lion. After her death, her son, engineer and captain Sergey Ivanovich Lion, continued her work.

In 1879, a new two-story stone building was constructed for the orphanage, where up to 150 orphans from low-income families lived. Children were accepted from the age of eight and cared for until they were twelve, after which they were returned to their relatives.

In 1898, craft classes named after the brothers Zhemaryins were opened, and children stayed in the orphanage until they were 18. They were taught reading, writing, arithmetic, and religious education. After completing the course, girls engaged in needlework and household tasks, while boys learned bookbinding and shoemaking. Older girls took turns cooking, washing, and ironing clothes.

The orphans were expected to be attentive during prayers, respect their elders, be diligent and frugal, as well as kind to one another.

The orphanage was funded by donations from private individuals, as well as provincial and city authorities. Pharmacist A.A. Werner provided medicines free of charge according to the doctor's prescriptions from the moment the orphanage opened. Manufacturer M.V. Aseev repeatedly supplied the orphanage with cloth for making children's clothing. The most capable orphans continued their education in gymnasiums, real schools, or paramedic schools.

During the Soviet era, the building housed a regional art gallery, and since 1984, the Tambov Regional Children's Library has been operating here.