The Military Historical Museum "Tarutino" began its activities in 1962. It was founded by V.Ya. Sinelshchikov (1907-1984), and in the early years, the museum operated on a voluntary basis. In 1967, it became a branch of the Kaluga Regional Local History Museum.

The museum is located on the territory of the Tarutino memorial, created in 1971. Here are monuments to the Patriotic War of 1812 and the Memorial of 1941, which includes the mass grave of soldiers from the 17th and 53rd rifle divisions who defended the approaches to Moscow, as well as a T-34 tank.

In 1834, one of the first field monuments in honor of the victory in the Patriotic War of 1812 was opened in Tarutino. The monument was erected with funds from peasants who, in 1829, received freedom from Count S.P. Rumyantsev in recognition of the events of the war that glorified Tarutino. The solemn opening of the Monument to Russian Military Glory took place on June 25 (July 7 in the new style), 1834. The monument rises on one of the fortifications of the Tarutino camp, which M.I. Kutuzov requested to preserve as symbols of the courage of the Russians.

The museum's exhibition is dedicated to the Tarutino period in the Patriotic War of 1812 (September 14, October 23), when the Russian army, having left Moscow and executed the Tarutino march maneuver, camped in Tarutino on the right bank of the Nara River, on one of the main roads (the Old Kaluga road) leading to southern Russia. During the three weeks spent in the advantageous position of the Tarutino camp, the Russian army was reinforced with fresh forces and grew stronger. This reinforcement led to the Tarutino battle on October 18, in which a victory was achieved over the detachment of French Marshal Murat. This victory played an important role in boosting the morale of the Russian warriors, becoming the first offensive battle on the main theater of military operations and instilling confidence in victory over Napoleon.