One of the oldest buildings in Chelyabinsk that has survived to this day was built before 1841. It is known that Andrey Andreevich Motovilov, a merchant of the 3rd guild, served as the mayor of Chelyabinsk from 1835 to 1838. He was the first to be removed from this position because, 15 years before the start of his bureaucratic career, he was caught illegally buying gold from illegal miners. In 1851, the position of mayor was taken by his son, also a merchant of the 3rd guild, Pyotr Motovilov. He is considered the owner of this house. After his death, the heirs rented the building to the Public Assembly, which was similar to modern clubs and served as a place for leisure activities, including reading books, discussions, dances, and permitted games.