Valuable gift

Valuable gift

The Netherlands' golden jubilee gift to the
Indonesian people is to restore the Arsip Nasional Republik
Indonesia (The National Archives) on Jl. Gajah Mada, Central
Jakarta. It will be made into an archives museum. The plan is to
restore the front part of the building so that it resemble a
residence of the 128th century. The spacious back part of the
building will be adapted to accommodate the installation of a
modern, well equipped archives museum. Since the ample gardens
offer an oasis of tranquility between Jl. Medan Merdeka and Kota
downtown, the placement of a small cafe at the museum is being
considered.

The old building, built in 1760 by Reinier de Klerk,
clearly depicts Dutch architecture. It was inspired by the Louis
style which was in vogue in Europe at that time. A Committee for
the National Gift has been established to realize the plan, while
an architectural and engineering bureau has been assigned to
conduct a feasibility study.