The only Museum of One Painting in the world might never have existed. In the 1980s, there were plans to demolish the building, but it was saved thanks to its successful inclusion in the architectural ensemble of the Viewing Platform during the design of the Settler Monument.

Georg Myasnikov, who served as the second secretary of the Penza regional committee and initiated the creation of this unusual cultural institution, claimed in his memoirs that the building was the home of the postmaster. However, historians recently discovered that he was mistaken. The story became clear thanks to the biography of Alexei Petrovich Nikolaevsky, who purchased this building in the 1860s and lived in it until his death. Nikolaevsky began his career as a district supervisor, which corresponds to the modern position of a police officer. He was later transferred to the first and then to the second police department. After 18 years of service in the internal affairs bodies, he rose to the rank of colonel and became the head of the Penza police in 1872, that is, the police chief. Thus, the building at 11 Kirova Street was the home of the police chief, not the postmaster. Myasnikov was likely misled by other documents, which led to the spread of this erroneous version.

Until the end of the 1960s, the house remained residential. According to local residents, there were once sheds and woodpiles behind the museum.