Mari people
Historical records suggest that Parfenyevo was founded in 1521 as a fortress in the Kazan line, which protected Moscow from invasion by Tatars and Cheremis (Mari people). The town was on a main trade route to the Vyatka Region and Siberia, and in 1707 was included into the Arkhangelsk region. It was formally formed into a district of Kostroma Oblast in 1929. The economy of the area is centered on logging and woodworking.