On August 27, 1989, the day of the founding of the Novotoryal district, the district local lore museum was solemnly opened in the village of Novy Tor'yel. However, after considering the request of the believers of the Russian Orthodox Church, the executive committee of the district council decided to transfer the building of the Church of the Ascension and Protection of the Holy Virgin to the registered Orthodox community, and to allocate the building of the driving school on Sovetskaya Street, house 27, for the museum.

From April 1990 to May 1993, the museum was located in a small room of the dormitory of the secondary school. Only after the major renovation of the driving school building, on May 28, 1993, the museum halls were opened, including the ethnographic and exhibition halls. Currently, the museum employs eight staff members, six of whom are specialists.

Over the years, the museum has taken an important place among the cultural institutions of the district. The number of excursions and events has increased, and new forms of work have emerged, such as open days, the "Night at the Museum" event, meetings with veterans of the Great Patriotic War and the labor front. The activities of clubs and circles have intensified, with two clubs and three circles operating in the museum. The museum has become an assistant to schools in studying the history and culture of the Mari people, conducting lessons, discussions, excursions, and exhibitions of household items and clothing. Exhibitions of amateur and professional artists are also organized.

The significant work of the museum is evidenced by entries in the guestbook: "My long-standing dream has come true. I am on the land where I was born. Thank you to the kind people of Tor'yel for their love for their land, for their warmth. I wish prosperity and joy. General, Colonel Yakovlev." Similar thanks have come from Tolyatti, Finland, Bashkortostan, the Komi Republic, Kirov region, and other places.

The museum's collections have been replenished with vintage equipment from PL-23, including seven units, among which is a "one-and-a-half" from the Great Patriotic War, collected by master Mikheev S.D. The museum's collection includes about 5,000 items in the scientific auxiliary and main fund.

Currently, the museum has six halls: "Exhibition Hall", "Hall of Military Glory", "History of the Novotoryal District", "Native Nature", "Ethnography", and "Izba". The specialists' office is equipped with modern audio-video and computer technology.