A major role in the creation of the Nikolaev regional art museum named after. IN. IN. Vereshchagin was played by Nikolai Antonovich Gedroyts. A highly educated and spiritually generous man, Prince M. A. Gedroyc did a lot to preserve the fine arts, find active forms of popularization and support of Ukrainian artists, rallied around him people who are not indifferent to the fate of the country, the development and popularization of artistic art. Living in Nikolaev, M. A. Gedroyts initiated the creation of the Society of Fine Arts, which in 1913 numbered more than 100 members and united Nikolaev artists and supporters of art. The high authority of the Society was also evidenced by the fact of the guardianship of Grand Prince Kirill Vladimirovich. It was on the initiative of M. A. Gedroyc, the organizing committee addressed a letter to the President of the Academy of Arts, which stated: “The name of V. IN. Vereshchagin, as a former pupil of the naval school, who, moreover, so tragically died in the sea element, is surrounded by an exceptionally touching honor among sailors. And we, the people of Nikolaev, strive to perpetuate the memory of the famous artist — philosopher... who so brilliantly glorified our Fatherland with his genius”.