This article is devoted to the first pages of the post-Soviet history of Orenburg region. An analysis has been made of the situation of the “dashing nineties” (the crisis that has begun in all branches of the economy and the social sphere, the growth of unemployment and crime). A characteristic of the development of education and cultural life in Orenburg region during this difficult period is given. It is told about the creation of national societies and scientific research institutes on national problems. The material on the current state of the Orenburg region and its place in the Eurasian space is presented. The article contains questions for the actualization of knowledge in the all-Russian context; section “Saved Time”, dedicated to the brightest preserved sights of this period; reference materials and the section “Working with documents”.