NATIONAL MUSEUM OF INDONESIA

Towards the end of the 18th century, in central Europe intellectual revolution (the age of enlightenment) where thoughts-scientific thinking and science began to develop. In the year 1752 in Harlem, scientific societies of the Netherlands called De Hollandsche Maatschappij der Wetenschappen stand. This prompted the Dutch government in Batavia establish similar organizations named Bataviaasch Genootschap van Kunsten en Wetenschappen (BG) on April 24, 1778. This institution is independent with the goal of advancing research in the field of art and science, especially biology, physics, archaeology, literature, ethnology and history. In addition, the BG also published research results. 

Tagline of which is “Ten Nutte van het Algemeen” which means for the benefit of the general public. One of the founders of this institution, JCM Radermacher, donated a house of hers on the street which were, at the time it is a region an important trade in Batavia. He donated his collection in the form of cultural objects and books. This Radermacher donation became the forerunner of the establishment of the museum and library.

During the period of British rule in Java (1811-1816), the Lieutenant Governor Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles ordered the construction of a new building for use as a museum and meeting space for the Literary Society (used to be called the building “Societeit de Harmonie”). The reason the construction of new buildings is not because of the house on the street which were already filled with a variety of collections. The building is located on jalan Majapahit no. 3. Now in this place stands a complex of the Secretariat building of the State, near the Presidential Palace.

From time to time, the number of collections belonging to the BG continued to increase until in the end the museum at jalan Majapahit no longer be able to accommodate the collection. In 1862, the government HindiaBelanda decided to build a building a new museum in its present location, namely Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat No. 12 (formerly called Koningsplein West). The land covers an area on which the building was built Rechst Hogeschool or “Higher School of Law”. (never been used for the headquarters of the Kenpetai in the period of Japanese occupation, and now the Ministry of Defense and Security). The museum building is newly opened to the public in 1868. 

The Museum is very well known among the people of Indonesia, especially Jakarta. They call it the “Elephant house” or “Elephant Museum” because in the front yard of the museum there is a bronze statue of elephant, a gift from King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) of Thailand who've been to the museum in 1871. Sometimes also called “Gedung Arca” because in in the the building is indeed a lot of stored various types and forms of arca derived from various periods. In 1923 the association gained the title “Koninklijk” because of his services in the field of scientific and government projects so full be Koninklijk Bataviaasch Genootschap van Kunsten en Wetenschappen. 

On January 26, 1950, Koninklijk Bataviaasch Genootschap van Kunsten en Wetenschappen changed its name to the Institute of Indonesian Culture. These changes adapted to the conditions of that time, as reflected in the motto of the new: “advancing the science of culture which is beneficial to improve the knowledge of the Indonesian archipelago and the lands around it.” Given the importance of this museum for the people of Indonesia, on September 17, 1962 the Institute of Indonesian Culture handed over the management of the museum to the government of Indonesia, which later became the Museum Center. Finally, based on the Decision Letter of the Minister of Education and Culture, No. 092/ 0/1979 dated May 28, 1979, the Museum Center enhanced the status of a National Museum.

Until now the national Museum of save 160.000 an objects of historical value that consists of 7 different types of collection of Prehistoric, Archaeology Classical times or the Hindu – Buddhist; Numismatic and Heraldic; Ceramic; Ethnography, Geography and History. National Museum complex built on a land area of 26.500 square meters and currently has 2 buildings. A building is used for exhibition space and collection storage. While Building B, also known as Gedung Arca, which was officially opened on June 20, 2007, by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in addition to being used for the exhibition is also used for office, conference rooms, laboratories and a library.