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.