Public Club

  In 1891 the left wing with the hall was built for the arrival of Crown Prince Nicholas. Now the concerts of the Irkutsk Philarmonic Society take place here. The central part and the right wing as well as the meeting-hall were built later, in 1901 to1902. The Public Club was the centre of cultural life in Irkutsk. In 1892 Edison's phonograph was demonstrated here. In the nineteenth century, it was a place to watch the cinema or ballet and to listen to famous singers, poets or even a symphony orchestra. At different times it housed the Public Hall, the Commerce Club, and the People's House. Since 1940 it houses the Irkutsk Philharmonic Society.