Above: a Foundation sponsored group visits the Catherine Palace

Over the past few years the Stroganoff Foundation has sponsored a number of events to increase the awareness of important projects in Russia and the USA. These events have included onsite study tours to visit Russia where participants have had the unique opportunity to experience history first-hand.

At left: a Foundation sponsored dinner onboard a Neva riverboat.

These study tours have included onsite visits to Stroganoff palaces and other important cultural sites in Russia. Through special permission, Foundation groups have gained special access to current restoration projects at important Russian historical sites, such as the Catherine and Peterhof Palaces. Going behind the scenes to view work not accessable to the public, Foundation groups meet restorers and museum workers at the site of their work. This experience presents the practical side of museum curatorship and restoration in real working evironments - an rare and valuable opportunity. Commentary by museum curators and restorers has enabled participants in Foundation study tours to understand the scope and objective of work at the Stroganoff Palace in St. Petersburg which the Foundation supports.

At right: A visit behind the scenes to view onsite restoration.

During these excursions special events take place, such as gala palace dinners and theater performances.

Future Foundation study tours will be announced soon.

The Foundation is also involved in projects in the USA, such as an exhibition of Stroganoff treasures from the State Hermitage Museum due to open February 19 - May 31, 2000 at the Portland Art Museum.