Aceh Museum Preserves a Century of Cultural Heritage

RRI.CO.ID, Banda Aceh - Aceh Museum has preserved the history, culture, and heritage of Aceh for more than a century. The museum was officially opened in Banda Aceh on Saturday, July 31, 1915, marking the beginning of its long role in preserving Acehnese heritage.

The museum was originally established during the Dutch East Indies administration under the name Atjeh Museum. Its first building was a traditional Acehnese house known as Rumoh Aceh, which reflected the architectural heritage of the region.

The building previously served as the Aceh Pavilion at the Colonial Exhibition in Semarang in 1914. The exhibition was held from August 13 to November 15, 1914, showcasing various aspects of the Dutch East Indies and its regions.

After the exhibition ended, the pavilion was transported to Banda Aceh and repurposed as a museum. Ethnographer F.W. Stammeshaus became its first curator and played an important role in organizing the museum and developing its early collections.

The museum was officially inaugurated by General H.N.A. Swart, then Civil and Military Governor of Aceh. Following its inauguration, the museum became a center for preserving Acehnese cultural objects, historical records, and knowledge for future generations.

After Indonesia gained independence, Aceh Museum underwent several changes in its management and institutional status. It was managed by the Banda Aceh Regional Government from 1945 to 1969 before undergoing further institutional changes under the national government.

From 1976 to 2002, Aceh Museum was managed under Indonesia's Department of Education and Culture. Since 2002, the museum has operated as a Regional Technical Implementation Unit under the Aceh Provincial Government.

By 2025, the museum held around 6,038 cultural objects and 12,445 book titles in its library. Its collections include archaeological artifacts, ethnographic objects, numismatic materials, manuscripts, fine art, and historical documents that reflect Aceh's long cultural history.

Today, Aceh Museum continues to serve as an important source of knowledge about Aceh's history and cultural heritage. Its collections support public education, cultural preservation, research, and a broader understanding of Acehnese civilization.