THE JAKARTA HISTORY MUSEUM
The Jakarta History Museum with the adjoining Fatahillah Square is situated in the historic downtown Kota area. The Museum unveils the development of the city of Jakarta from century to century. The building dates from 1707 when it was constructed as the "Stadhuis" or town hall of Batavia during the Dutch East India Company or VOC period. On March 30, 1974 the Governor of Jakarta officially opened this building as the Jakarta History Museum, replacing the old Jakarta Museum which was located close by. The collections of the Jakarta History Museum comprise prehistoric artifacts and stone replicas of the Tarumanegara and Pajajaran kingdoms. This Museum is also famous for its outstanding collection of antique furniture ranging from the 17th to the 19th century. European, Chinese and Indonesian styles intermingle harmoniously and thus reflect the spirit of the Batavia community through the ages.

THE FINE ART AND CERAMIC MUSEUM
This Building formerly housed the "Raad van Justitie" or Court of Justice of City Batavia in the late 19th century. During Indonesia's struggle for independence, the building was turned into an army logistic depot. It was successively used as the town hall of West Jakarta and as the office of the Jakarta Museum &History Services. On August 20, 1976 it was inaugurated as the Jakarta Museum of Fine Art and Ceramic by President Soeharto.

The Jakarta Museum of Fine Art and Ceramic houses two collections : A collection of Indonesian contemporary paintings, drawings and statues and a collection of Indonesian and foreign ceramics found in Indonesia.

The fine arts collections comprise masterpieces by Indonesian painters, starting from the 19th up to the 20th century. The paintings are displayed according to periods, starting with they first Indonesian painter Raden Saleh (1800-1880) followed by the Beautiful Indies style (early 20th century). The modern school of painting (1945 onwards) is represented by the masters Basuki Abdullah, Sudjojono, Hendra and Affandi. The contemporary movement is also present with works by Achmad Sadali, Srihadi and Dede Eri Supria. In addition the Museum also houses a collection of modern Balinese paintings and contemporary sculptures.

The ceramic collections comprise foreign ceramics from China, Japan (14th-19th C), Vietnam, Thailand (15th-16th C) and Europe (19th-20th C), all found in Indonesia. A very important collection of Martavans found in Indonesia has also been included. The local ceramics come from all over the country representing the different potter's traditions like Majapahit, Ujung Pandang, Plered, Palembang and Kalimantan. Modern creations from Bandung & Jakarta are also represented in this small museum.

THE TEXTILE MUSEUM
The Jakarta Textile Museum is housed in an 18th century Villa built by a Huguenot family. Later in the late 19th century it was acquired and expanded in its present state by a prominent Yamani family in Jakarta then knows as Batavia. In 1975 this building was acquired, restaured and converted by the City Government into the Jakarta Textile Museum which was inaugurated on June 28, 1976 by the late Mrs. Tien Soeharto.

This museum houses a significant collection of traditional Indonesian textiles from the world known batik technique as well as the ikat and pelangi tye & dye techniques. The collections encompasses fabrics from all over the Indonesian archipelago displaying an infinite variety of textile decoration.

THE PUPPET MUSEUM
The Wayang Museum site used to be where the 17th century Dutch Cross Church stood till it was destroyed in early 19th century. On December 22, 1939, the Batavian Society of Art & Sciences established the Old Batavia Museum displaying a rich collection of Batavian furniture, paintings and other Dutch memorabilia. After Independent it was renamed the Old Jakarta Museum till the collections were moved to the new Jakarta History Museum across Taman Fatahillah Square. On August 13, 1975, it was officially opened as Wayang Museum.

The Wayang Museum collections consist of theater puppets from all over the Indonesia archipelago. The biggest collections are Javanese and Balinese shadow play puppets made of parchment called Wayang Kulit. The other collections consist of wooden puppets called Wayang Golek very popular in West Java. There is also a rare Batavian Chinese puppet set as well as puppets from Thailand, China and other countries.

Wayang performances are held every Sunday morning in the Museum auditorium.

THE 1945 FIGHT FOR FREEDOM MUSEUM
This museum building situated on Menteng Raya 31, was formerly the Hotel Schomper in pre-war Jakarta. During the Japanese occupation it was used as a youth clubhouse called Asrama Pemoeda Indonesia (A.P.I.). Its members played an important part during the proclamation of Independence and in defending the newly gained freedom from colonialization. On August 19, 1974 it was officially opened as the 1945 Fight for Freedom Museum by President Soeharto.

The museum collection comprises memorabilia like weapons used by young Indonesian freedom fighters, uniforms, insignia, flags and banners. Also on display are two vintage cars used by former Indonesian President Soekarno and Vice President Hatta with their official license plates REP 1 and REP 2. The Museum also houses a collection of photographic material and other documents, such as painting and caricatures which depict the struggle for independence.

The Muhammad Husin Thamrin Memorial Building, located at Jalan Kenari in Central Jakarta is also under the supervision of this Museum. It used to be a meeting house donated by Muhammad Husin Thamrin, a native Batavian, for the Nationalistic cause. A number of photographs and documents demontrate the personal involvement of the national hero Muhammad Husin Thamrin during the colonial period.

THE ANCIENT INSCRIPTION MUSEUM
This open air Museum is located on the premises of a former Duch graveyard know as Kebon Jahe Kober. The cemetery was originally used as a burial ground for christians since the end of the 18th century. This graveyard was still in use years after independence and in 1975 the Kebon Jahe cemetery was closed for burials. Finally, on July 7, 1977, the former graveyard was formally opened as an open-air park like The Ancient Inscription Museum.

The oldest 17th & 18th century tombstones displayed, are the one removed from the old churches in Jakarta Kota then known as Batavia. One of the oldest mausoleum is the one: dedicated to the memory of Olivia Marianne Raffles, the first wife of Thomas Stamford Raffles, when he was Lieutenant-Governor of Java. Numerous European, mostly prominent Dutch family names, can be seen on the tombstone displayed in this park. Like J.H.R.Kohler, the Dutch commander of the Aceh War, the famous archeologists Brandes Ed Stutterheim and many others.

THE MARITIME MUSEUM
Initially these building served as warehouse for spices and other commodities. The Dutch East India Company started the constructions in 1652 and expanded it in later years. In 1976 the premises were handed over to the Government of Jakarta and preparations were started to the restore and convert them into a Museum. The Maritime Museum was officially opened on July 7, 1977. The objective of this Museum is to expose the Indonesian maritime traditions.

Apart from original ships and praos there is also a collection of maritime ships on display. Navigational tools, anchors, a model of a light-house, antique canons, and many more items from part of the Museum's extensive collections. Another section of the Museum is reserved for an assortment of seas hells as well as preserved fish and corals, tools and photographs explaining the process of traditional ship-building. The Indonesia Navy is also represented by a collection of miniature war-ships and paintings of important maritime events.