Cultural palaces are often associated with Soviet power, but their idea originated even before the Bolsheviks. Such institutions, and even larger ones, existed in pre-revolutionary Russia. The People's Houses served a cultural and educational role and contributed to the fight for sobriety. They housed theaters, concert and exhibition halls, libraries, reading rooms, Sunday schools, and tea houses. The largest of them was named after Nicholas II and was located in St. Petersburg at Alexandrovskaya Square, 4.

The first People's House opened in 1883, and by the early 20th century, there were already more than 20. Benefactors actively participated in their construction and maintenance. Most of the houses were state-owned and were under the patronage of the All-Russian Society for Sobriety.

In the Russian Empire, the fight for sobriety had a long history, but sometimes it turned into a fight against sobriety. Until the 14th century, vodka was not consumed in Russia, and alcoholic drinks were only drunk on holidays. The state tried to limit drunkenness, although it was not widespread. The words "tavern" and "pub" have foreign origins. The first pub in Russia was opened by Ivan the Terrible, and this venture proved so profitable that he ordered the closure of private taverns and the opening of state pubs. Gradually, the production of alcoholic beverages fell into the hands of tax farmers, who bought the license from the state and could arbitrarily raise prices.

The peasantry became the main fighter for sobriety. In the mid-19th century, an anti-alcohol movement began in Russia, supported by the intelligentsia and famous writers such as Tolstoy and Dostoevsky. This movement hit the state treasury hard and was even banned. In 1894, Finance Minister Sergei Witte introduced a state monopoly on vodka and began an active fight for sobriety.

At the 16th All-Russian Industrial and Art Exhibition in Nizhny Novgorod in 1896, architect Alexander Pomerantsev presented a pavilion with an unusual design. This building caught the interest of Prince Oldenburg, who proposed to relocate it to St. Petersburg for the central institution of the Guardianship of the People's Sobriety. He also requested land for the building in Alexandrovsky Garden to be allocated free of charge.

This garden was opened under Nicholas I and named after Alexander I. It already housed a zoo, and nearby was the Peter and Paul Fortress. The project did not excite Finance Minister Sergei Witte and the City Duma, but the prince had significant connections at court.

Prince Alexander Petrovich Oldenburgsky, a representative of the Oldenburg dynasty, was known for his good deeds. He facilitated the opening of the Institute of Experimental Medicine in St. Petersburg and a resort in Gagra. During World War I, he became the head of sanitary and evacuation units. After the February Revolution, he moved to France.

Architect Grigory Lyutsedarsky, who worked for the royal family, became the author of the building project for the Guardianship. In 1900, he assembled the pavilion at the new site and began construction of the People's House. Lyutsedarsky used metal structures to create a modern space in the Art Nouveau style.

Lyutsedarsky slightly modified the pavilion to reduce the load on the frame. The upper part of the walls was made of cork brick from Hamburg. The building was equipped with electric lighting, steam heating, and modern ventilation. In case of fire, the stage was separated from the hall by an iron curtain.

On December 12, 1900, the building was consecrated. Two years later, the complex with the theater opened with Glinka's opera "Life for the Tsar." The theater was designed for more than 1,500 seats. A whole complex of buildings formed around the People's House. In the 1910s, the Western Wing, known as the People's Auditorium, was added to it.

The People's House theater held performances daily. The audience enjoyed the lavish decorations and special effects. An orchestra performed in the garden, and there were plays and dances. A cafeteria and tea house operated, and doctors were on duty.

Numerous clubs and free courses existed at the People's House. Collective readings on current topics were held. Services were conducted on Saturdays, and on Sundays, there were readings with light pictures and spiritual concerts. The library provided the opportunity to read books for free.

Free games for children were organized on playgrounds under the supervision of a caretaker. The attractions delighted both children and adults. A gardening club was held for children.

Free folk music courses were extremely popular. In May 1903, the orchestra opened the summer season. The first children's railway in Russia was opened at the People's House. Attractions known as "American roller coasters" were very successful but burned down during the blockade of Leningrad.

One of the main initiatives was the Museum of Alcoholism with free admission and a library. In 1908, an outpatient clinic for alcoholics opened. On holidays, the People's House was visited by more than 25,000 people. Famous artists, including Sobinov and Chaliapin, performed on stage.

After the February Revolution, the People's House became barracks and then came under the jurisdiction of the City Duma. Meetings and gatherings were held here, which continued under the Bolsheviks. Lenin spoke at the 1st All-Russian Congress of Peasant Deputies.

In 1919, the building was renamed Gosnarkom and given the names of Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg. Later, it was repurposed for theaters. The Opera Hall housed the "Velikan" cinema and the Leningrad music hall.

In the 1930s, the Theater Hall burned down, and a theater named after the Leninist Komsomol (now the "Baltic House" theater) was built in its place. Part of Alexandrovsky Garden was transferred to the Leningrad Zoo.

The Iron Hall was converted into a Planetarium in 1959. Since 1978, the Music Hall has again been located in the Opera Hall.

Thus, the work of the creators of the People's House was not in vain, although their fates turned out tragically. Prince Oldenburgsky died in Paris, and his dynasty ended. Architect Pomerantsev died in Petrograd in 1918. Lyutsedarsky was lost in emigration. Nicholas II, who provided the premises and land for the People's House, was killed in Yekaterinburg. Their remains were discovered and buried only in the 1990s.