The subject of the study is the analysis of the involvement of well-known merchant and industrial dynasties of Berdyansk in the construction of its port, the development of trade, charitable and cultural affairs in the city, and the restoration of the city after its devastation during the Crimean War in the 30s-90s of the 19th century. The object of the study includes diary notes, archival materials, newspaper articles, and statistical data from that time in Berdyansk. The author focuses on the practical use of historical and cultural heritage, reflecting the formation and strengthening of the civilizational foundations and traditional spiritual and moral values of Russian society, as exemplified by the contribution of entrepreneurship to development and addressing the economic and sociocultural problems of the city. The work examines the possibilities for developing modern research tools and strengthening the civilizational foundations and traditional spiritual and moral values of Russian society. The research is based on the methods of historical analysis, philosophical hermeneutics, comparative studies, and historical analogy between the events of the examined period and the present. The main conclusions of the research assert that financial resources accumulated through prudent management, entrepreneurship, and with the assistance of foreign capital were not used for accumulation, let alone exported abroad, for luxury or fun, but were invested in the development of the port and the city, in its improvement, and in charity, which contributed to the prosperity of the city and the decent life of its citizens. This conclusion leads to the assertion that the constructive side of the activity of most merchants, their desire to invest part of their capital in the productive sphere and another significant part in public improvements and social issues, requires wide coverage and promotion among modern entrepreneurs and those preparing to become such. The novelty of the study lies in the historical parallels drawn in the article between the 30s-90s of the 19th century and the current development of Berdyansk, providing today's entrepreneurs and those training them for such important and responsible activities with clear guidelines in addressing issues of attracting private investors to the modernization of the region, which are the wonderful traditions established by the representatives of the merchant dynasties of Berdyansk.
Pavel Aleksandrovich Musenko (Wed,) studied this question.