The city museum of Karabash, a small town with a rich history once known as the copper capital of Russia, has an interesting history of its creation. The idea for its establishment arose long before its opening. In June 1965, a decision was made to create a local history museum, with the main initiator being Andrei Afanasyevich Panov, a local historian and editor of the city newspaper. He collected and systematized extensive historical material, including rare photographs and documents, totaling 90 folders. Many residents of Karabash supported the idea of creating the museum, offering help: some in the form of future exhibits, others with their labor. Old-timers donated antique items, historical documents, coins, awards of their relatives, archives of the city newspaper, and much more to the museum.

The museum was solemnly opened on October 30, 1967, in the building of a former church. The first director and tour guide on a voluntary basis was Fenya Vasilyevna Nesterенко. By the decision of the city’s Gorkom of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union Executive Committee of the Council of People's Deputies on August 11, 1978, the museum was granted state status. Over the years of its existence, the museum has changed its location several times. It is now located in the historical part of the city in a wooden building from the early 20th century. The museum's collections number about 4,000 exhibits, including photographs, documents, household items, stuffed animals, paintings, icons, minerals, and much more.