THE TRANSPORTATION MUSEUM

The growth and roles of transportation in the world an in Indonesia have their own history. The fact that transportation and its development play an important role in the country’s own development is a philosophical foundation that based the creation of the Transportation Museum in TMII.

The museum exhibits a wide range of objects of transportation that have historic values in their development and play a role in the nation’s movement for independence . The museum is intended to help the education board teach people with the important meaning of transportation and how it is useful in life. The implication is to educate the people to comply with with traffic laws. As far as technology is concerned, the exhibits expose the public to the history and variety of technologyin transportation in Indonesia and the world.

The initial idea for the museum was a train museum. A wide variety of trains used in Indonesia were on display, amon others, the train used by first Indonesian president and vice president when moving from Jakarta to Yogyakarta on January 3^rd, 1946. However, over much consideration and basing on the technological expansion, the board of museum decided to make the museum a full-aspect of transportation museum.

The grandstand of the Transportation Museum is unique – a grandstand that offers  a shady area due to a ventilation crisscross above the columns that also depict the three types of public transport: land, sea, and air.

KASEPUHAN MUSEUM CIREBON

Prince Sri Mangana Cakrabuana, son of Prabu Siliwangi from the Kingdom of Padjajaran Bogor is written as the founder of Keraton Pakungwati since 1480. Eventhough he holds a status of a crown prince and regent in Cirebon, this title does not hold him back to separate himself with the Padjajaran kingdom. The decision was made to declare independence in developing and spreading Islamic religion and to be completely free from Hinduism  (the official religion of Padjajaran kingdom).

The name Pakungwati is adapted from Ratu Ayu Pakungwati’s name, the daughter for Prince Cakrabuana’s own daughter. In later days, Ratu Ayu Pakungwati marries with Syarif Hidayatullah, or popularly known as Sunan Gunung Djati. After the death of Prince Cakrabuana, Sunan Gunung Djati inherited the trone in 1483. Besides being a well-respected leader, Sunan Gunung Djati is known as a great religious teacher in Cirebon.

In year 1568, Sunan Gunung Djati passed. His position is inherited by his grandson, a golden prince with title of Panembahan Ratu. During this golden prince era that the new Keraton is build on the western part of Dalem Agung, named Keraton Pakungwati. Since 1697, Keraton Pakungwati is well known as Keraton Kasepuhan and the sultan is knows as Sultan Sepuh. In 1988, to preserve the authenticity of the Keraton, especially the antiques inherited from the Kesultana Cirebon, two rooms that is located in the forefront of the Keraton Kasepuhan is made to a public museum.

Upon touring Keraton Kasepuhan you’ll feel like visiting the olden Cirebon. The presence of Keraton Kasepuhan solidify the fact that Cirebon has gone trough cultural mix. The mix is not only the blending of Javanese and Sundanese culture , but also have the mixture of world cultural   such as, Chinese, Arabic, and European cultures. This fact is the one that differentiate the identity and typicality of the modern Cirebonese.

The presence is felt once you enter the Keraton. The two white tiger in the entrance does not only symbolize that Kesultanan Cirebon is the re-generation of the Padjajaran Kingdom, but is also symbolize the influence of Hinduism. The architecture of the gate carries a Balinese design, while the sculpture and scriptures in the door and gateway the carries a European touch. The gate of Siti Hinggil is made of Chinese ceramics and the wall surrounding the Keraton are made of red bricks, which is identical of Javanese architecture. These are the evidence of the culture mix.

The nuance of culture mix is very much evident the moment we step in the front room, which is currently a museum. Besides the fact that its filled with accessories of the Javanese kingdoms, such as golden lion train, two antique human sedans and several heirloom that aged about hundreds of years. Also in this museum, the visitors could see many collections of souvenir such as jewelry and weapons from other nations, such as Egyptian rifle, Mongolian Cannon, Portuguese Chain-mail and others. The king’s throne is made of ordinary wood with nine colored flags representing Wali Songo. This further solidifies the influence of the Javanese culture and Islamic culture towards the Cirebon Sultanate.

In the backyard of the Keraton, visitors could witness the grandness of Palace garden and several wells, on which the water is believed to carry blessings. This location is crowded with pilgrimage guest during the panjang jimat ceremony held by the Keraton every year, in an event to commemorate Maulid Nabi Muhammad SAW.

THE MARITIME MUSEUM

The Maritime Museum is located on the northern tip of the capital Jakarta, precisely in the old Sunda Kelapa port area, which displays a wide range of the Dutch Company properties at the time in smaller models and scales. The museum attempts to provide a description to its visitors about the maritime tradition of the Indonesian ancestors and the significance of maritime to the Indonesian economic growth until now.

 

The museum also has a variety of model fishing ships from all over Indonesia, stone anchors from a few places in the country, modern steam engines, and the Pinisi sailboat from Bugis, South Sulawesi, which is now one of the last existing sailboats in the world.

The building was originally built by the Dutch to store spices. The construction of the building involved three phases was in 1718, the second 1773, and the third 1774. After the independence, the building became a telecommunication office. In 1972 it was considered as historic building with protection from the law of monuments. Then on July 7^th, 1977 it was inaugurated as a maritime museum. The current building that is now the Maritime Museum is the old site developed in stages from 1652 to 1774. At the time the Dutch VOC were using the building as spice warehouse.

To monitor its commercial activities both on the sea and land, the VOC built a tower on the Gulf of Jakarta coastline, not far from the current location of the Maritime Museum building, known for the port authority tower (Menara Syahbandar). Built in 1839, the tower monitored activities on the sea and the surrounding areas.

Two buildings overlooking the port authority tower were built to monitor the paperwork and administration of the commercial goods before the spices were sent over to Europe.

Much latter during to Japanese occupation in Indonesia the building was converted to a warehouse of military logistics. In 1976 the building began renovation and finally on July 7^th, 1977 was officially opened by the Governor of Jakarta Ali Sadikin as the Maritime Museum.

The museum collection comprises traditional sailboats from all over the country, for example the Pinisi sailboat from Budis, Makassar, the Kora-kora boat from Maluku, the Mayang boat from the North Beach of Java, the Lancang Kuning boat from Riau, and the Jukung boat from Kalimantan. Other collection includes, sea creatures, navigation equipment, sailing equipment, the Onrust island model, traditional fishing equipment, and sailing maps as well as photos of maritime activities since the colonial era.

     

MUSEUM BANDUNG GEOLOGICAL

Geologist Laboratory located in Rembrandt Straat (now Jalan Diponegoro) opened its use on 16 Science Pacific IV held in Bandung. Erupt World War second by the end of year 1941, causing entire /all important data and collection of other geology have to be carried over to more safe place, that is to a building in Street of Braga. At a period occupying of Japan, activity of Geologische Dients (Museum Geology) start to be recognized by society and name altered to become Kagyoo Zimusho, what later; then change again become Chisitsu Chosajo in the year 1943. After Indonesia proclaim its independence, Museum Geology managed by have Indonesia under head of Arie Frederick Lasut and of Sunu Sumosusastro.

In the middle of nun of research of geology, Dutch aggression in the year 1949 causing activity a little a few/little. After Department Geology formed in the year 1952, research of geology in Indonesia return to walk with interest planned. Renovate of Museum Geology, have been done in the year 1980 without changing its original looks architecture form of deco art, this matter because building of Museum Geology of is including into one of the cultural pledge building which taken care of by its continuity .

To anticipate growth of its function, passing to Directorate General Geology and Mineral Resources, Govermental of Indonesia conduct cooperation with Government of Japan in activity renovates Museum Geology. Pursuant to note agreement of cooperation signed by both side on 25 March 1999, Government of Japan lift a hand donation fund in is ready of equipments of physic related to education, research and documentation system, as for Government of Indonesia provide fund utilized to renovate building interior.

Reopening of Museum Geology conducted by President Republic Of Indonesia, Megawati Soekarnoputri on 22 August 2000, related with International Symposium of Museum Geology which is titled “To The Future: Museum Geology in Change of World” followed by expert of earth science and from museum of Japan, English, Dutch, Australian, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and is other. Museum Geology, as one of the technical Unit Executor (in) Body Research environment and Development of Energy and of Mineral Resources, Departmental of Energy and of Mineral Resources, in this time have immeasurable of collection of rock type, mineral, fosssi, and some artifact from entire continent region archipelago of Indonesia.

Looked into the aspect of collect, Museum Geology represent complete and biggest museum in South-East Asia. The Collection archives, kept, and documented with system of computerized; noted around 250,000 rock sample and mineral and also 60,000 fossils from various age and type. On the way its fuction, documentation, provide various information about earth science as well as object of tourism. With settlement of more physic of  modern technological touch, in this time Museum Geology felt more attractive and is communicative, so that earn more enthused and felt by its benefit either by public society and or (all) earth man of science.       

THE INSECT MUSEUM

The Museum of Insects was founded by the effort of PKBSI members and the Zoological Museum of Bogor to introduce the variety of insects and to stimulate interest and raise public awareness about its roles and potential. President Soeharto opened the museum on April 20^th,1993.
 

Insects are the Creatures with the largest kinds in the world, particularly in Indonesia. Many people believe that insects are dirty, disgusting, and destructive. This misconception is to be provent wrong in the museum.

The wide range of insects in Indonesia is the theme for the exhibition and display in the museum. There are at least 250,000 kinds of insects in Indonesia living inside and on the ground, inside and on plants, animals, and human. Certainly some of them cause demage to health and environment, but some are interesting to learn more about. Some are beautiful, some odd. Some are miniscule, and others enormous. All insects, including bugs and colorfull butterflies and other interesting species can be seen in the insects Museum TMII.

If insects exist in large number and play and important role in human life, it is only appropriate  if the museum illustrates one side of the insects world as the purpose to stimulate public appreciation and affecrion toward insects. Through understanding and knowledge about insects, the public will be more informed when it comes to deal with insects. The exhibits in the museum are useful as education for students to know more about insects, and for the public to promote awareness about insects in human life.

To provide further information about the insect world , the insect Museum also shows film about insects. People will be able to learn more and insects by watching the films and eventually raise our awareness about insects.