The Pereyaslav Collegium is known because it was taught by Professor of Pietics Grigory Skovoroda. Here the eminent philosopher wrote a large number of his works (in particular, “The Garden of Divine Songs”). At the end of the seventeenth century, the college was transformed into a spiritual seminary. Now in the premises of the former collegium (architectural monument of Sir. XVII century.) is located the Grigory Savovich Skovoroda Museum, which was opened in 1972 during the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the artist's birth.

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The museum highlights the life and work of the poet and philosopher, his stay in the Pereyaslav region; part of the exposition is devoted to the history of the Pereyaslav Collegium, opened on October 2, 1738, which was a prominent center of education in Ukraine.

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Housed in one of the former classrooms, the exposition is dedicated to the stay of G.S. Frying pans on Pereyaslav land. A unique exhibit is a portrait of the philosopher of the work of an unknown Chinese artist. XVIII century.

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The poet and philosopher was also a gifted musician. The exposition presents the folk musical instruments of that time — violin, viola, bandura, cymbals, lyre, which the artist perfectly mastered.

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G. S. Skovoroda has been working as a home teacher for the Pereyaslav landowner Stepan Tomara for 5 years in the village. Kavrai, teaching and educating his son Vasily. The museum exhibits furniture of the XVIII century. from the Tomar estate: sofa, chairs, table, floor lamp, painting of the XVIII century artist Hagen “Fair”.

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In the original form, the atmosphere of the poetry class is recreated: tables and benches, classroom board, on the wall — icons: “God Savaof”, “Mother of God”, “Coronation of the Virgin Mary”, near the door — a hanger with student clothes, on the tables — books. The perfection of the exposition of the class is given by the sculpture of G.S. Frying pans (performed by I. Kavaleridze), who, as if alive, sits behind the teacher's department.

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In one of the former lobbies, the atmosphere of the teacher's room is recreated. In the corner there is a hard bed, covered with a homespun bed, a leather pillow and a rug. Opposite the door is a working corner: a secretary, a chair. The secretary has a candlestick, a globe, manuscripts of the works of G.S. Skovorody, among which is the famous satirical song “Every City of Slavs and Rights”, written in Pereyaslav region. On a bench covered with a home-woven towel, there is a simple peasant utensil: clay and wooden bowls, a salt shaker, a copper mug.

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The exposition of the museum contains paintings, graphics, lithographs, folk art, which reflect the work and life of the philosopher.

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In one of the former lobbies, the interior of the library of the college has been recreated. In the exposition of the library there are old cabinets in which books of the XVI-XIX centuries are stored. Among them are such rare publications as “Atlas of the Russian Empire” of 1745, “Basne of La Fontaine” (in French) 1675, “Fundamentals of Philosophy and Logic” (Latin) 1557, “Writings of Minor Persons” 1598 r. etc.

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A graduate of the Pereyaslav Collegium, the eminent Ukrainian philologist and teacher Joseph Bodyansky discovered in the library of the Pereyaslav Collegium, explored and described for the first time the Peresopnytsia Gospel — an outstanding monument of Ukrainian written culture, a national shrine of our state, on which the presidents of Ukraine are now sworn in. The exposition presents a facsimile edition of the Peresopnytsky Gospel, donated to the museum by His Beatitude Metropolitan Vladimir of Kiev and All Ukraine.

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The exposition of the last hall is dedicated to the memory of G. S. Skovorodi is a poet and philosopher who was “caught by the world but not caught.”

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