The museum, founded in 1980, is a cultural heritage site of republican significance. The exhibition "Elabuga. On the Way to the Millennium" showcases the rich history of Elabuga filled with events and notable figures. Archaeological finds and historical documents tell the story of the emergence of the Bulgarian urban settlement, the activities of the residents of the village of Trekhsvyatskoye, the founding of the district town of Elabuga within the Vyatka governorate, and the development of the merchant class.

In August 2007, a new museum complex was opened in the magnificent mansion of merchant Nikolaev, uniting various projects by themes and directions within one division. The exhibition of the City History Museum is dedicated to the millennium of Elabuga and its amazing nature. Here, interactive craft workshops operate, along with the museum-theater "Traktir" featuring Russian cuisine and an exhibition hall. The complex attracts more than 60,000 tourists annually.