Where do you think the largest collection of Russian icons outside of Russia is located? Many would likely guess Paris or Berlin, where thousands of emigrants went after the Civil War. However, the largest repository is in a small town called Clinton in Massachusetts. The museum was founded by entrepreneur Gordon Lankton, who heads the company "Nypco," which manufactures molds for thermoplastic machines.

In 1989, fate brought him to the USSR, where he immediately became fascinated with Russian culture. His first encounter with an Orthodox icon occurred in the Izmailovo district of Moscow, where he purchased an image of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker for 20 dollars as a souvenir. From that moment on, Gordon Lankton began collecting Russian icons. The first one is still housed in the museum on the first floor. Today, the collection boasts around 1000 icons, including rare pieces even by Russian standards, such as "The Compassion" from the early 16th century and "John the Baptist" from the 15th century.

Gordon collected icons from around the world, buying them at auctions and from private collectors, and brought them to Clinton. The collection of Orthodox icons attracts the attention of not only Russian speakers but also foreign tourists. Periodically, cultural exchanges take place: in 2015, icons were brought from Moscow for an exhibition. However, this event ended in scandal when Lankton was accused of not returning the icons and was placed on a wanted list. Fortunately, everything was resolved successfully, the icons were returned, and the case was closed. The museum is located in an old American courthouse built nearly 150 years ago.