The State History Museum of Uzbekistan was established in 1876 and is one of the largest scientific-educational institutions in Central Asia. As a multi-discipline establishment, the museum fulfills a number of functions. It serves as a scientific research institution, it is the largest custodian of artifacts representing the material and spiritual cultural heritage in Uzbekistan and it is a centre of dissemination of historical knowledge. The museum has been included in the composition of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan since its foundation in 1943.