The Nevelsky Historical and Local Lore Museum began its work in the city of Nevelsk in the Sakhalin region on June 29, 1989. Its creation is linked to the initiative of Igor Pavlovich Farhutdinov, who at that time held the position of chairman of the Nevelsk City Executive Committee. In 1987, he proposed to open a local history museum in the city. The first director was Alexander Sergeevich Shamraenko. Initially, the museum's collection was small, with only 209 exhibits, and was located in two apartments on the first floor of a residential building. Significant assistance in organizing and replenishing the collections was provided by archaeologist and local historian Sergey Valeryevich Gorbunov, who donated archaeological collections and ethnographic items to the museum, and Ivan Alexandrovich Kovalenko, who served as the museum director in the early 1990s. He actively engaged in educational activities and transferred his articles and materials on local history to the museum. On June 29, 1989, the museum opened its doors to its first visitors.

Throughout the entire period of the museum's establishment, local residents actively supported it by bringing items of museum value. The collection quickly grew with exhibits related to marine fauna, archaeology, and the ethnography of the Korean population in the area.

On September 5, 2014, the museum moved to a new building and was opened as the MBUK 'Nevelsky Historical and Local Lore Museum.'

Today, the museum is engaged not only in scientific, educational, and cultural activities but also in publishing.