The museum is dedicated to people affected by political repressions of 1937-1938. It was opened in November 2001 to the celebration of the decade of independence.

The museum building was designed by the honored architect of Kazakhstan Amanzhol Naimanbai.

The exposition occupies two rooms:The Exhibit Hall and The Hall of Sorrow.

A special place is reserved for the gallery with portraits of famous persons of Kazakhstan, as well as ordinary people who suffered from hunger and repression in 1937-1938. There are portraits of Ahmed Baitursynov, Zhusipbek Aymautov, Mustafa Shokai, Turar Ryskulov, Muhamedzhan Tynyshpayev, Magzhan Zhumabaev and other great persons.

In the middle of museum there is a sculpture “Repression”. According to the idea of ​​authors, it displays all the torment and suffering of Kazakh people in the late 1930s.

More than fifteen thousand people visit the museum annually. Museum workers often hold district and city events dedicated to history and education.