When Angelina Grebenshchikova first entered the dilapidated building of an old mill built in 1871 in the village of Ak-Suu, there was silence, dust, and traces of time. Most people passed by without thinking. But she saw more: a space capable of connecting the past and the future, becoming a cultural magnet for Karakol and the entire region. This is how the idea of the museum was born - "The Old Mill".

Today, this is not just a museum, but a real landmark of the Issyk-Kul region. History comes alive here: a water mill works, an old hydraulic oil press rumbles, and the exhibition includes dozens of artifacts found throughout the region - from copper cauldrons and samovars to expedition items from the Przhevalsky era. 

A Mill That Triggers Change

A key milestone was Angelina's participation in the UNDP Aid for Trade project to strengthen adventure tourism value chains, implemented in partnership with the FSDS Foundation. Thanks to in-demand business training and grant support, the museum went from a dream to a sustainable tourism product.

"It wasn't just training - they led us by the hand, from ideas to implementation. We immediately applied the knowledge, consulted online, and saw how everything came to life," Angelina recalls.

The project helped to modernize the space: new halls, professional lighting, display cases, and routes for visitors appeared. Everything was taken into account, including modern standards and the needs of the audience. The museum became convenient, attractive, and emotionally rich.

Museum as a community center

Every year, the museum is increasingly integrated into the tourism and educational ecosystem of the region. It is included in excursion routes, welcomes tourists, schoolchildren, and students. In the warm season, the team expands to four people, creating new jobs and involving residents. "I see how not only history but also the village itself is coming to life. People are starting to believe that they can stay here, develop, and be useful," says Angelina.

For residents, the Old Mill has become not just a museum, but a symbol: here you can touch your roots, get inspired, gain new knowledge, and see examples of real development "on the ground."