Maria Yermolova was a Russian dramatic actress. Born in Moscow into the family of a theatre prompter, she was closely connected to the theatrical world and early on dreamed of performing on stage. She studied at the Moscow Theatre School and in 1871 joined the troupe of the Maly Theatre. At first, she performed in vaudeville productions. She gained recognition for her role as Katerina in Alexander Ostrovsky’s “The Storm”. Later, she played Laurencia in Lope de Vega’s “Fuente Ovejuna” and Joan of Arc in “The Maid of Orleans”. Yermolova performed roles in works by Ostrovsky, Shakespeare, Schiller, Hugo, and other playwrights. In 1920, the 50th anniversary of her stage career was celebrated, and she was awarded the title of People’s Artist. In 1921, she gave her final performance. The Bakhrushin Theatre Museum collection holds personal letters, photographs both in her roles and in everyday life, costumes, and personal belongings of Maria Yermolova.