The museum was founded by Russian blacksmith Ilya Georgievich Lebedev. In the early 1990s, he purchased a burned-down house in the city and completely restored it within a year. According to the master, he aimed to preserve the original appearance of the building. The lower part remained unchanged, made of old white stone and brick, while the upper floors retained their previous shape and dimensions, although different materials were used for the restoration. It is unknown how the building looked before, but Lebedev studied typical projects from Kolomna a century ago, which allowed him to preserve its architecture, rare in our days. It is characterized by an abundance of decor, stucco, window frames, and pilasters. Previously, there was a forge on this site, then a garage, a merchant's house, and communal housing, which indicates the quality of construction that allowed the building to survive. The landscaping work was complex, as it required consideration of architectural and technological features.

In the museum, Lebedev presents his works and interesting exhibits collected from all over Russia. Most of them are from Kolomna, but all items in the collection demonstrate what Russians used. On the premises, there is a forge where the master and his colleagues create decorative elements and souvenirs from iron. The exhibits are categorized by themes, from household items and kitchenware to sports equipment. Here, one can see the blacksmith's workplace and a model of a forge. A special interest is aroused by the section with items of military glory, where weapons from the Borodino field are displayed: axes, swords, maces, arrowheads, and iron chainmail. Tourists can not only look but also touch the exhibits.

The museum features over 6,000 items, about 1,000 of which are outdoors. Many exhibits are over two thousand years old, allowing one to trace the development of blacksmithing in Russia.

Blacksmithing has been known since ancient times when scythes, sickles, hoes, and harrows were made from heated iron for agriculture. These items had to be strong and durable. Some products, such as kitchenware, pokers, and candlesticks, required not only strength but also elegance.

In the arsenal of 'Kuznechnaya Sloboda,' there is an iron bicycle forged before the official invention of the bicycle. Skates, which originally had no teeth, are also a popular exhibit.

During the tour of 'Kuznechnaya Sloboda,' one can see the production process and participate in a master class. Creating a horseshoe for good luck is especially popular. Experienced blacksmiths assist not only adults but also children. The work takes place at high temperatures: the metal is heated, hammered, reheated, and so on. This is how forged parts are created, from small fittings to huge ship anchors.

Handmade work has always been valued, so the collection of the 'Kuznechnaya Sloboda' museum is unique and one of a kind in the country. It allows one to see forgotten household items, fishing, and hunting tools that tell about the lives of the ancestors of the Russian people.