The Levin dynasty in Kolomna

In 1780 – early 1790 in the city of Kolomna worked factory-manufactured production owned by merchant Guri Levin, as evidenced by linen scarves produced at the factory Levin, and stored in the collection of the Russian Museum. A peculiar variety of products of the domestic silk weaving industry are silk scarves with patterns of brocade threads. Some of them have stamps that make it possible to establish the place and time of their manufacture.

Levin shawls are elegant products, works of art, characterized by an unusually high technical level of performance, the virtuoso development of various ornamental motifs, a complex rich pattern, the use of a thin elastic golden scan. On two preserved unique headscarves you can see the stamp: "S.S.F.K.K.G.L." - which means "Container of the silk factory Kolomna merchant Guri Levin". This scarf can be dated to the end of the 1780s.

In 1796, Guri gave the silk factory to his son, Martyn, who became a merchant of the second guild. In the future, this factory was overbought by the merchant I. I. Lozhechnikov, which is indicated in the description of the end of the XVIII century: "Silk Kolomensky eminent merchant Ivan Ilyin son of Lozhechnikov at this factory twenty-one mills are produced in a year single-colored raspberry four thousand four hundred, brocade two hundred and forty yards." It is sold here in Moscow and in other cities. In the factory there are twenty-one weavers, fourteen weavers, four spoolers, two dyers, only forty-one people, like all freelancers.

In 1800, 51 people worked in this factory at 26 camps. It is within the framework of this factory that the consolidation of production is recorded. In 1814 the number of silk factories increased. Among the owners mentioned Guri Levin, as well as Sofron Levin, who had in addition a separate factory in the village of Podlipka, near Kolomna.

In 1820, 5 silk factories continued to function in Kolomna, the products of which went directly to the shelves of Moscow, St. Petersburg and other fairs. The owners of the factories-manufactures were Kolomna merchants Guri Levin, Egor and Alexander Levin, as well as the Moscow merchant Ivan Levin.

The Levin family was quite extensive. The names of Jacob (or Jacob), Vasily, Martyn, Artamon Levin are known - owners of silk-weaving factories connected by various kinship ties. Of course, the main concentration of their factories was Kolomna, and their products were repeatedly exhibited at industrial exhibitions. According to researchers, the Levin factories existed until the middle of the XIX century.

Also from the Levin family, who inscribed their names in the history of Kolomna, it should be noted the honorary citizen of the city of Kolomna, who headed the local government - Yegor Levin. His name is found in matters of patronage and charity in Kolomna. Charity was one of the main priorities for the investment of merchant capital, since in Orthodox society there was a clear understanding that everything that was acquired in trade was a gift of God, therefore, it was necessary to dispose of the acquired capital in accordance with the “will of the Creator.” Yegor Levin, as the city head, defended the interests of Kolomna merchants. In 1874, the Children's Orphanage of Kolomna was opened. Later it consisted of three charitable institutions: a shelter for orphaned girls, a craft school for boys and an orphanage. Fathers of orphanages died in the Russian-Turkish war. With the permission of Empress Maria Aleksandrovna, all these shelters were named “Mariinsky House of Care for Poor Citizens of Kolomna and Orphans of Soldiers Killed in the War”.

It is known that in addition to the production of fabrics, the Levin dynasty was famous for other types of economic and trade activities in Kolomna, for example, as the content of drinking establishments. So, in the statements for 1870, mentions the Renskov cellar of A. S. Levin. N.N. Levin, hereditary honorary citizen of the city of Kolomna, father of the future mayor, is mentioned as the owner of a large grocery store, and as one of the most successful in the city with an annual turnover of 60 thousand rubles a year.

Another of the Levin dynasty, Levin G. N. (son of N. N. Levin) was the city head. His name is associated with an attempt to preserve the Kolomna Kremlin. The Moscow Governor, upon his arrival in Kolomna, draws special attention of the Kolomna city society to the concerns that lie with it for the preservation of the ancient monument located in their city. He pointed to the history of this monument, and proposed to discuss this issue to form a special commission under the Duma, from among the best citizens of the city, chaired by the mayor G. N. Levin, who is very sympathetic to this cause. On his initiative and on his account, the views of the Kolomna fortress were shot in triplicate by the Moscow photographer Alasin. One of these copies (the entire album consists of 12 photographic photographs) was donated to the local Moscow provincial museum and library. It is especially interesting that some of the Levins, for example, the respected citizen T. M. Levin, are mentioned in the census list of Old Believers for 1898.

The estate of Kolomna merchants Levins (21 Levshina St.) consists of the main house and gate. The two-storey house is built of brick, plastered - allows you to highlight several stages of its construction. Part of the house on the side of Umanskaya street was built in the early XIX century. The other one on the street. Left-handed, refers to the middle of last century. The latter is richer decorated and bears the influence of eclecticism. There are channeled pilasters, a complex inter-storey cornice, pretentious stucco casings. The gates of the house were built at the turn of the XVIII-XIX centuries. Brick plastered pylons with slender semi-columns are decorated with vases.

The complex of houses at Pushkin Street, 15-17, is also the estate of merchants Levin, built at the turn of the XVIII-XIX centuries. The main house, wing and gate are preserved. The main house - brick, two-storey, plastered, is a heavily rebuilt chambers of the XVIII century. The wing and gate with a fence, built in the first half of the XIX century, belongs to the architectural monuments of the Empire style.