The two-story house on Tolstoy Street, located next to the wooden architecture museum, invariably attracts the attention of guests in Suzdal. It was built in the 18th century and belonged to the Agapov merchant family, which represented typical Suzdal merchant society.

At that time, merchants made up a significant part of Suzdal's population and played an important role in the social, political, and economic life of the city. The Agapov family, including the father and sons, were engaged in blacksmithing and owned several stone shops where books, fabrics, shoes, tea, coffee, and spices were sold. Ivan Yakovlevich Agapov held an elected position as the city salt seller, known as celovals, who promised to perform their duties honestly. Members of the Agapov family were repeatedly elected to the City Duma and actively engaged in charity, donating funds to the city's churches, for which they received blessings from the Holy Synod. They were quite well-known figures of their time.

The house built by Ivan Yakovlevich Agapov was typical for that era: the first floor was stone, and the second was wooden. The first floor housed a forge where family men worked, while the second contained living quarters. The property had a large garden and a beehive. In the 19th century, when Suzdal fell away from new trade routes, many merchants moved to more promising areas, but the Agapovs remained, although they moved to another house. Only workers remained on Tolstoy Street, tending to the garden and bees. In 1905, the first floor of the house became an underground printing house, and with the arrival of the Bolsheviks, a mill was established here. In the 1970s, the building was granted historical monument status and was restored thanks to the efforts of architect N. Nemtsova, who returned it to its original appearance. Since 1982, an exhibition titled "Suzdal and the District during the First Russian Revolution of 1905" operated here, telling about the life of the urban intelligentsia in the early 20th century. In 2010, the museum closed for restoration and a change of exhibition, and in 2012, a new exhibition "Suzdal Merchants. Portrait in the Interior" opened. The first floor features blacksmith tools and their products, while the second showcases the interior of the homeowners' rooms. A unique aspect of the exhibition is the stylized furniture, which visitors can not only look at but also sit on, immersing themselves in the atmosphere of the 18th-19th centuries.

The museum periodically conducts interactive sessions titled "Suzdal Merchants," which are especially interesting for schoolchildren. These are stylized presentations-discussions where children learn about history and traditions, drink tea, and share impressions.

Visiting the Agapov Merchants' House is not just a museum tour. Here, one can not only see but also feel like part of a merchant family from the 19th century.