The article examines the activities of S. Kirov and G. Ordzhonikidze historical and revolutionary museum in North Ossetia in the 1940s in the context of increased ideological, organizational and methodological leadership of museum work in the USSR, the emergence and development of museums of the Revolution in the North Caucasus. There were few separate museums of the revolution here, the expositions devoted to the revolutionary movement in the North Caucasus and the Civil War were mainly formed on the basis of local history museums established in the pre-revolutionary period, as well as museums established during 1920s and 1930s in the union and autonomous republics. Based on the documents of the Central State Archive of the Russian Geographical Society, which were first introduced into scientific circulation, the stages of the organization of the Kirov and Ordzhonikidze Museum were investigated: the decision to create in 1938, the restoration of Kirov’s apartment, the formation of collections and expositions, financing and staffing. The close connection of the museum with the party structures, the high level of politicization of the exposition and the emphasis on highlighting the activities of the leaders of the revolutionary movement in the North Caucasus and the achievements of the Soviet government are noted. For the first time, the Museum’s activities during the Great Patriotic War were investigated: the evacuation of museum valuables in 1942 to Yerevan, work in evacuation conditions, organization of traveling exhibitions for wounded veterans, the return of exhibits to North Ossetia in 1943, the difficulties of the post-war restoration of the museum, and plans to expand the exposition. It is concluded that the Kirov and Ordzhonikidze Museum has become an important cultural, educational and ideological institution of a new type, playing a key role in shaping the historical memory of the revolutionary events in Ossetia and the life of the republic during the Civil War, in strengthening Soviet power in the region. The museum was distinguished by its political orientation, emphasis on the liberation movement, close connection with the party nomenklatura and state control of its activities.