Materials related to the elite of the nobility of Bessarabia – the families of Cantacuzin and Krupensky in the collections of the National Museum of the History of Moldova

The aim of the museum is to collect and store various objects. It gives the evidences of the past the possibility of "surviving” to the present day. At the same time, the museum should present these materials to the attention of the public, showing the origins of civilization, life in all its complexity, thereby helping the visitor to better understand the world with its secrets. Considering the role of the museum heritage in the development of society, we carried out a study of the collections of the National Museum of the History of Moldova related to the history of the Bessarabian noble families. The Cantacuzins and the Krupensky are two families, belonging to the elite of the nobility and having a centuries-old history. In our study we are considering the Bessarabian branch of these families. From 1991 to 2005 the National Museum of History of Moldova accepted as a gift and purchased important materials reflecting the history of the Cantacuzin family. These materials were collected by Irina Cantacuzin, the wife of the last descendant of the Bessarabian Cantacuzins, Pavel (1902-1992). Of particular value is the collection of documents and photographs of the family of Pavel Cantacuzin, collected and transferred to the museum by A. Krakan in 1993. It consists of about 50 units, among which 36 are originals and copies of photographs relating to the period from the 19th century to 1990. It is this collection that contains a number of photographs with representatives of the family of Krupensky, who were related to the Cantacuzins. In 2001, the NMHM received another collection of documents, photographs and other materials related to the Bessarabian Prince Pavel Cantacuzin. It reflects his life and activities during the period of imprisonment and after rehabilitation. The museum collections hold several things and household items belonging to these families. Museum collections are a valuable historical source. Their research and use in exhibitions undoubtedly contributes to understanding and studying the phenomenon of the Bessarabian nobility elite.