The building was constructed in 1889 funded by a local philanthropist, merchant Zal Weinstein to become the biggest cultural and educational center of Vinnytsia in the late 19th – early 20th centuries. Mykola Chekmarov, a military engineer, was the author of the project. The left-wing was added to the building one year later by architect Wilhelm Krause. The building is made of bricks with ancient Russian and Byzantine elements.
In 1890 the Non-classical Secondary School moved here from the city of Mohyliv-Podilskyi. Students studied general subjects, natural and exact sciences, foreign languages here. The educational institution was formed due to a significant progress in the economic development of the region. The construction of the railway gave rise to development in all spheres of life in Vinnytsia and the need for qualified specialists. New trends have become a motivation for educational and cultural development.
Jaroslav Nĕmec, State Counsellor, became the first Headmaster of the School. He was an educated, disciplined person, full of initiative, the man of action, who left behind only positive memories. Light and spacious classrooms, a gymnastic area, the Church of Cyril and Methodius, own meteorological station, Sports club, properly equipped classrooms of physics, math, and art – no wonder that this educational institution was award-winning.
During World War I and the Ukrainian Revolution there was a military hospital in this building. Nowadays it again performs a function of the educational establishment. At present, it is the main building of the Vinnytsia Institute of Trade and Economics of Kyiv National University of Trade and Economics.
