The museum was opened in 1992 and is located in a two-story building constructed in 1957, featuring a unique architectural design. Its establishment was made possible through the efforts of the district administration, various production organizations, and the residents of the Talovsky district. The museum houses about 30,000 local history materials that tell the story of the settlement of the region, the cultural traditions of the local population, the history of the development of the Talovsky district, and changes in nature within its territory.

The ethnographic hall showcases exhibits with tools and household items of the first settlers of the district, from the time of settlement until the 20th century. A separate exhibit is dedicated to the work of M. E. Pyatnitsky, the founder of the first folk choir in Russia.

The hall of the history of the development of the Talovsky district highlights events from the Civil War, the restoration of the economy after the war, the creation and development of collective farms, the operation of the railway hub at the Talovaya station, and also includes a photo gallery of honorary citizens and distinguished workers from various sectors.

The Hall of Military Glory is dedicated to the history of the Talovsky district and its residents during the Great Patriotic War. It also features an exhibit about participants in the war in Afghanistan and local professional military personnel.

The Hall of Nature and the Reorganization of the Stony Steppe tells the story of the transformation of the steppe region into a fertile oasis, initiated by an expedition led by soil scientist V. V. Dokuchaev.

The museum's exhibition hall regularly hosts exhibitions of painting, decorative and applied arts, photo exhibitions, as well as traveling exhibitions on various topics.