The Historical and Local Lore Museum 'Samarskaya Luka' is a unique institution. Unlike traditional museums dedicated to cities or industrial sectors, it covers the vast natural area of Samarskaya Luka, known for its natural and cultural attractions.

On November 18, 1959, a local lore museum was opened in Zhigulevsk, located on the first floor of the VoGES administration building. It became accessible to visitors on May 1, 1960. The museum collected rich material about the construction of the hydroelectric power station, including records, letters, and memories of participants. Artists donated their works, and the employees of the hydroelectric station created exhibits, models of turbines, and hydraulic structures.

A plan for exhibitions was developed, covering the historical-revolutionary past of Samarskaya Luka, the region's development during the Soviet years, and the history of the Volga HPP. However, due to a lack of space, the museum was forced to squeeze into a small room at the city library. The space intended for the museum was given to a research institute that never opened. Despite this, the museum continued its activities, organizing lectures and exhibitions.

The authorities resolved the space issue by relocating the museum to Stavropol, making it part of the city’s local lore museum. In 1974, a decision was made to open a branch of the Tolyatti Local Lore Museum in Zhigulevsk. On April 21, 1977, the museum was solemnly opened at house No. 7 on Leningradskaya Street, including departments of nature, history, and industry. It remained a branch of the Tolyatti museum and was funded from its budget. Only on February 17, 1992, did the museum become an independent city institution.

On September 5, 2000, the charter of the municipal cultural institution 'Zhigulevsky Local Lore Museum' was approved. On January 28, 2003, the museum received the status and name of the municipal cultural institution Historical and Local Lore Museum 'Samarskaya Luka'. On September 4, 2003, it returned to house No. 28 on Komsomolskaya Street.

On February 21, 2006, the exhibition center 'People's Gallery' was opened, and on April 17, 2006, a branch, the Museum-Theater 'Zhigulevskaya Skazka', began operations in the village of Zolnoye.