The local museum in the city of Kovylkino opened on November 5, 1971. It was located in the former city council building at 62 Proletarskaya Street. In three halls with a total area of 80 square meters, more than 400 exhibits were presented, mainly photographs and documents.

The initiator of the museum's creation was Nikolai Petrovich Shmyrev, a distinguished cultural worker of Mordovia and a local historian journalist. He also served as the director on a voluntary basis.

On December 28, 1975, by the order of the Council of Ministers of the Mordovian ASSR, the museum became a branch of the Mordovian Republican Local History Museum and was named the Kovylkinsky Local History Museum.

In the center of the city, the construction of a new museum building began through a grassroots method, involving various organizations and enterprises in the area. On November 3, 1977, the grand opening of the new museum exhibition took place, marking an important milestone in its history, initiating scientific collection and educational activities.

The foundation of the museum's work is the creation and replenishment of its collections. Scientific collection work has always been a priority for the team, which strives to gather and study everything related to the history of Mordovia and the Kovylkin region.

Currently, the museum's collections hold more than 12,500 exhibits, and their number is constantly growing.

The historical and ethnographic hall of the museum allows visitors to feel the ancient beauty of our roots, the hard work, and talent of the people. Here, items of everyday life and culture from the late 19th and early 20th centuries are presented, including dishes, furniture, household items, and tools for crafts and agriculture.

Visitors admire the women's national costumes adorned with Moksha embroidery, transformed into works of art.

The museum also tells about the ancient noble estate of the Arapovs, where the children and grandchildren of A.S. Pushkin were hosted. Museum staff actively study this topic and maintain contact with the poet's descendants.

The museum receives invaluable assistance from the Pskov writer and Pushkin scholar V.M. Rusakov, as well as colleagues from St. Petersburg, the Rozhnovs, thanks to whom the exhibition about Pushkin is constantly being updated.

The museum regularly hosts art exhibitions by local painters such as V.I. Dolgushev, V.A. Shlykov, and others. Personal exhibitions of members of the Union of Artists of Russia hold a special place.

A particular pride of the museum is the work of sculptor Maria Ivanovna Feokritova, a native of the Kovylkin region. Her works are kept in museums across the country, including the State Tretyakov Gallery.

One of the most important directions of the museum's work is military-patriotic education. The exhibition in the military-patriotic hall tells about the events of the Great Patriotic War, Afghanistan, and Chechnya, fostering the best qualities of a citizen.

The Kovylkinsky Local History Museum is a spiritual center that attracts everyone who values the history of their homeland and seeks good communication and enrichment of the soul.