The Volyn Museum of Agriculture History is an ethnographic museum and skansen in the urban-type settlement of Rokyni, 12 km from Lutsk. Here you can see how a Volynian village used to live: old houses, farm buildings, work tools, clothing, and everyday items. Nearby is the Rokyni Arboretum, so the trip combines a museum visit with a walk in the park.
History of the Museum
The initiator and founder of the museum, as well as the arboretum, was Petro Tesliuk, former director of the Volyn Agricultural Research Station. In 1977–1979, historian and local lore researcher Oleksandr Serediuk, together with enthusiasts, went on local history expeditions, conducted excavations, recorded the memories of elderly residents, and collected exhibits. In 1979, the museum opened with an exposition in eight halls: the history of the Volynian village, the development of agriculture in different eras, and the nature of the region. After independence, a section on Ukrainian statehood was added.
The Skansen
In 1989, a skansen — an open-air museum — was founded on the territory of the arboretum. Residential and farm buildings from various corners of Volyn were moved or recreated here: houses, pantries, barns, and other structures. Each homestead is furnished with items of its time, so you can enter a house and see the stove, benches, chests, and embroidered towels (rushnyky). In recent years, the skansen has been restored with the help of volunteers.
Tip
Allow two hours for the museum and skansen, and another hour for the arboretum. It is best to visit during the warm season when all the homesteads are open and the park is green. Children will find it interesting to see old rural life up close.
Rokyni Arboretum
The arboretum around the museum was founded by the same Petro Tesliuk. Trees and bushes from various parts of the world grow here, along with alleys, ponds, and clearing areas for recreation. The park is especially beautiful in May, when lilacs and chestnuts bloom, and in October, when the leaves turn various colors.
How to Get There
Rokyni is 12 km from Lutsk, and suburban buses run there. The trip is conveniently combined with the Olyka Castle. More details can be found in the article Lutsk Raion.
