The State Historical Museum of the Southern Urals, which residents and visitors of Chelyabinsk often refer to as the Local History Museum, received its new name in 2016. However, the old name is still well-known. The museum is located in the historical and administrative center of Chelyabinsk, on Truda Street, one of the oldest streets in the city. Nearby are popular places for walks and entertainment: Kirovka pedestrian street, the local Arbat, Revolution Square, the Circus, and the embankment of the Miass River.

The modern building of the Chelyabinsk Local History Museum was constructed in 2006, although its history began long before that. In 1913, the first exhibits appeared at the Chelyabinsk Real School, including books, maps, and collections on geology, zoology, and botany. The official opening of the museum took place in 1923.

Museum staff have been actively engaged in research and educational activities, collecting new exhibits and conducting educational events. The museum has changed its location several times, and in 2006 it moved to a specially built building on the banks of the Miass River, occupying an area of 10,500 m². Since the 1990s, the museum has been located on the territory of the former Chelyabinsk Fortress, whose architectural appearance resembles a fort that became the foundation of modern Chelyabinsk.

Today, the Chelyabinsk Local History Museum attracts visitors not only with its exhibitions but also with the opportunity to take beautiful photographs from the embankment of the Miass River, which offers a magnificent view of the city. A pedestrian zone and the Stone Garden have been arranged around the museum, and observation decks operate on the roof of the building. In summer, it is especially beautiful here, and this part of Chelyabinsk is definitely worth a visit.

The museum operates year-round, but in June it is particularly popular among groups of children and teenagers from summer camps in the region. During this time, tours specifically adapted for schoolchildren are conducted. At other times, the museum offers a variety of exhibitions and displays, as well as organizes various events: festivals, lectures, classes, and workshops for all ages.

The museum's permanent exhibition represents the valuable historical and cultural heritage of the region. In halls equipped with modern multimedia equipment, there are four permanent exhibitions, including an observation deck on the roof. The collections hold about 300,000 exhibits related to the nature, history, culture, and archaeology of the region.

The first hall is dedicated to the history and nature of the Southern Urals from prehistoric times to the present day. Among the key exhibits is a fragment of a meteorite that fell in 2013 and the remains of a marine reptile, the mosasaur, found in 2014. The story of the meteorite that fell into Lake Chebarkul is still alive among the residents of Chelyabinsk. Despite the destruction caused by the shock wave, no one was harmed.

In the second hall, visitors can see samples of the everyday life of the Southern Ural residents from the Iron Age to the 19th century. Visitors can not only view household items from those times but also participate in mini-performances, such as a fair or a merchant's house salon.

The third hall is dedicated to exhibits from the times of the First and Second World Wars and the era of Tankograd. Here, military artifacts are presented alongside elements of civilian life in the 20th century. In summer, a photo exhibition is open on the roof of the museum. In the lobby, souvenirs made from natural stone can be purchased: jewelry, boxes, panels, and keychains.