A special building for the commodity exchange was constructed in Saratov based on the project of architect Franzisk Shuster. The project dates back to 1889, and construction began that same year at the corner of Nikolskaya and Moskovskaya streets. The grand opening took place on September 7, 1890.

In 1900, the idea of creating a stock exchange in Saratov emerged, which was to engage not only in commodity trading but also in securities. The exchange committee decided to expand the building by adding an annex. Architect Alexey Salko developed the plan and estimate, according to which a new block was built over two construction seasons, extending the building towards the chapel.

By the end of 1904, new operational halls were opened. The exchange became an important element of the development of the block on Nikolskaya Street and the ensemble of Theater Square. In 1918, the building was transferred to a soldiers' club, and later to a Red Army club. It is known that in March 1918, an anarchist club was located here. In 1922, during the NEP period, the exchange resumed operations, but in 1930 it was closed, and the building was occupied by a labor faculty. From 1935, the historical and then the philological faculties of Saratov University were located at Radishcheva, 41, until 1999.

Over more than sixty years, many students received a classical humanitarian education in this building, later becoming renowned scholars, educators, journalists, and writers. Recently, the building was used by the Volga Institute of Management named after P. A. Stolypin, a branch of RANEPA.

On September 7, a ceremony was held to transfer the building at Radishcheva, 41 to the Saratov State Art Museum named after A. N. Radishchev. This is a cultural heritage site of federal significance, dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries.