Indonesia is rich country and museums in Indonesia are
no exception. A few museums, especially those located in major city;
provide the history of nation while many other museums in
Indonesia intended as a site of learning centre from which
people can learn many aspects of the cultural richness of Indonesia and
its history, culture, religion, and so on. The history of
Museums in Indonesia can be traced back from
colonial era. During which era, the cultural of [link:67]Indonesia
[/link] wasn’t such a hot topic for colonial government, so that
they paid little attention to the culture of others. goindonet,
[link:54]go indonesia[/link],[link:52]complete indonesia tourism info
[/link]
That said study of Indonesia culture, especially when related to museums in
Indonesia, was left to non-governmental institutions such
as Batavian Society of Arts and Science. Some individuals also wrote some
books about the history, culture, religion system and the people of
Indonesia. Dr. SnoeckHourgrogne and Sir Stamford Raffles were noteworthy
in the list of scientists who were interested in Indonesia in the
colonial era.
Some of the Oldest Museums in Indonesia
Within such subject as museums in Indonesia, we may
recall some of the oldest museum that ever existed in this country. The
first museum was likely the one built in Ambon by Rumphius. A book wrote
by Rumphius, which is now owned by the National Museum tell the story
about its existence despite nothing remains of the museums. The museum by
Rumphius was built in 1662, which becomes the oldest museum had once
established in Indonesia.
The second among oldest museums in Indonesia were
Batavia Society of Art and Science. Firstly established on 1778, the
institution played strategic role in archiving and researching the
richness of Indonesian culture. The Batavia Society of Art and Science
continued to grow until independent era, in which the building was
transferred to the government of Indonesia in 1962. The now-
current [link:36]Batavia[/link] Society of Art and Science are known
as the National Museum. Today, the National Museum is known as the most
famous museums in Indonesia.
More Museums in Indonesia
The following paragraph will show you more on the list of cultural
institution and museums in Indonesia:
1) The RadyaPustaka Museum (Surakarta)
Firstly established in 1890, this museum was the only local museum
ever existed in the19th century. Among major museums, the RadyaPustaka
was unique in its history. In 1930 when the building began to open to
public, The RadyaPustaka initiated by missionaries and civil servants,
making it as the one that was operated locally.
The museum often runs by non-professional boards, which means that
noexperts involvedin it. The museumdisplaysa wide range ofexhibits, all
of which willgiveyoua reasonable understanding of the traditions and
customs of Solo and [link:67]Indonesia[/link]. So, among lots of
museums in Indonesia, The Radya Pustaka Museumwas
builtwith the purpose ofstoringbooksandworks ofpoets,
writersandintellectuals of the past.
2) Karo Museum (1942-45) and Banjarmsin
museum
This museum is no longer existed since the Japanese occupation. The
politic of abolition during the Japanese occupation made the museum
disappeared completely. Nothing left of the museum that once built by
DrNeuman. The same goes for Banjarmasin museum that was built by
DrMalonkrodt. It was burned down during the Japanese occupation. So
there are two museums in Indonesia the people
can’t find today.
3) The BalaiPoestaka (1918)
This should not be included in a list of museums in
Indonesia despite we need to know about it. The BalaiPoestaka
was once known as ‘government publication’, which the main
mission was to publish literature in local and Malay languages. Some
civil servants whose working for the BalaiPustaka got chance to study the
language they were to work in.
4) The Taman Prasasti Museum (1795)
When talking about The Taman Prasasti should be included in our
conversation. This is a museum that was first established during Dutch
colonial and located at Jalan Tanah Abang No. 1, Central Jakarta. The
museum has a collection of ancient plaques and tom miniature of the 27
provinces in Indonesia. Among other major museums in
Indonesia, the Taman Prasasti museum is also known as an open-
air [link:10]museum[/link], featuring artwork from different sculptor,
engraver, calligrapher and poet.