Novopolotsk is the younger brother of one of the oldest cities in Belarus ("novo" means "new" in Belarusian). Despite its young age, Novopolotsk has a rich and interesting history. The Museum of History and Culture of this city is annually visited by thousands of tourists from all over the world. Besides, it is really easy to find the museum as it is situated right in the historical center of the city, next to the arboretum and the city park of culture and recreation.

The Museum of History and Culture was opened in 1968, just 9 years after the foundation of the city. Initially, its name was the City Museum of Labor Glory. Although it received the status of a local history museum after 5 years, it got its modern name only in 1998.

Today there are 4 permanent exhibitions, opened in 2008 for the 50th anniversary of the city. They are displayed in four halls, and each collection has its theme: "The first builders of the city. They were the first," "Industry of the city," "Sports achievements," and "Social and cultural institutions of the city." There are about 18,000 exhibits, covering an area of more than 750 square meters.

The interior of the museum plays an important role in the perception of its exhibits. Sky blue ceiling and blue walls, red metal structures, and wooden scaffolding, as well as a miniature copy of the «We Want Neftegrad!» banner, perfectly convey the atmosphere of the construction of an oil refinery and a new city. Young smiling Komsomol members, who built this city, are portrayed in the photo panel called "The First Builders." Next to it, there is a showcase with the first oil and the first gasoline of Novopolotsk. You can also watch the documentary film "Novopolotsk: the beginning of a biography."

The second hall contains a model of the city with a transport network and industrial enterprises, as well as documentary materials about the history of the development of the Naftan oil refinery.

The exposition of the city's sports life has a special place in the museum. It is represented by the names of the famous citizens of Novopolotsk: hockey players of the country's leading clubs and water skiers.