In the collection of the museum named after Arkady Petrovich Gaidar there is an original photograph of Pyotr Isidorovich Golikov, the father of the writer Arkady Gaidar, with his second wife Lidia Pavlovna Golikova, née Troitskaya. The photo was taken in Arzamas around 1924–1926. The picture is black and white, matte, full-length portrait, on a passepartout. The photographer is unknown.
After the Civil War, Pyotr Isidorovich Golikov returned to Arzamas and became the head of the United Consumer Society.
In 1924, Pyotr Isidorovich Golikov entered into a second marriage with Lidia Pavlovna Troitskaya.
Lidia Pavlovna was born on March 10, 1900, in the village of Sarley, into the family of deacon Pavel Mikhailovich Troitsky and housewife Alexandra Ivanovna. The family soon moved to Arzamas. In 1910, Lidia entered the Arzamas Catherine Girls’ Gymnasium and successfully graduated in 1917. From 1919, she worked as an accountant and later as a clerk.
In 1923, according to records, Lidia Pavlovna began working as a clerk at the United Consumer Society, where she met Pyotr Isidorovich. Judging by the correspondence, their relationship was not easy. Nevertheless, on December 24, 1924, they got married. In January 1925, Pyotr Isidorovich was promoted to become chairman of the Board of the Regional Consumer Union. In January 1926, the Golikovs had a daughter, Maya. Soon after, Pyotr Isidorovich fell seriously ill and was sent to Nizhny Novgorod for treatment, where he passed away on April 23, 1927. On April 25, 1927, Lidia Pavlovna gave birth to a son, whom she named Pyotr after her husband.
In 1935, Lidia Pavlovna joined Arzamas Trade as an accountant and was later promoted to product reception inspector. In 1943, she was transferred to the accounting department, where she worked until her retirement in 1956.
In the 1960s, when the Arkady Gaidar Museum was
being created in Arzamas, various memorabilia were donated by Lidia Pavlovna
Troitskaya and her children, Maya and Pyotr, Arkady Gaidar’s half-siblings.
Among the items were furniture and household objects from Arkady’s childhood,
when he was still known as Golikov. These exhibits helped recreate the
Memorial-House Museum of Arkady Gaidar. The Golikovs of Arzamas also donated
personal belongings of Pyotr Isidorovich Golikov, as well as letters,
postcards, a ramrod, and the scabbard of Arkady Gaidar.