(JP)

Jakarta has dozens of museums to stroll through, to learn something about the past. Among the popular ones are those located in the Kota Tua heritage area in West Jakarta and the well-known National Museum in Central Jakarta. But there are many lesser-known museums in various parts of the city. Here we provide five museums that do not often feature on tourist itineraries.

Museum di Tengah Kebun

Located in Kemang, South Jakarta, Museum di Tengah Kebun (Museum in the Middle of a Garden) offers visitors a unique green environment. Situated in a 4,200-square-meter site, the building displays an archeological collection including a Ganesha statue from Central Java, silverware and ceramics from Asia as well as 19th century furniture.

The museum was built in 1987 by Syahrial Djalil, who wanted to build a house where he could spend the rest of his life amid his collection of archeological artifacts. In 2009 he decided to open the place to the public as a museum.

The museum is divided into 17 rooms with historical and geographical names such as Dewi Sri, Buddha Thailand, Mari Jepang, Kaisar Wilhem, Cirebon, Loro Blonyo, Dinasti Ming and Singa Garuda. Each room represents a particular theme.

Basoeki Abdullah Museum

Renowned painter Basoeki Abdullah was beaten to death in his bed during a robbery in November 1993 when a gang of thieves broke into his house and stole his collection of 43 luxury watches.

However his artistic touch still can be seen in the house that has been given to the state and turned into a museum.

After renovation, the museum opened in 2001. One area of the museum displays his extensive collection of Javanese wayang puppets, while his bedroom, which is maintained in its original setting, shows religious figurines.

The exterior does not resemble a museum so tourists and locals might not recognize it as such.

National Police Museum

The National Police Museum is situated at the National Police headquarters on Jl. Trunojoyo in South Jakarta. The museum features collections of memorabilia of the police as an institution beginning from the Dutch Colonial era to the present.

The building is divided into several exhibition rooms. They include the collection room, which displays a collection of police equipment and technology down through the years.

Visitors can see old bicycles and radios used for communicating when fighting against the Dutch. It also has a fine collection of weapons.

MH Thamrin Museum

As one of the country’s heroes, Mohammad Husni Thamrin, better known as MH Thamrin, has been honored in the name of a major street in the city.

However, few people know that a museum has been built on Jl. Kenari Dua No.15, East Jakarta, to exhibit Thamrin’s service to the country, as well as remembering the colonial-era politician.

Passing near ITC Kenari, visitors will be welcomed by a large golden Thamrin statue at the front gate of the museum. The museums exhibits items and photos showing Thamrin’s struggle for Indonesia’s liberty as well as the old town of Jakarta.

The museum building used to be a butcher’s shop that was reportedly built by a Dutchman.

In March 1927 Thamrin bought the building and turned it into his home.

Reksa Artha museum

The Indonesian currency, once known as Oeang Republik Indonesia, was confirmed as the official means of payment in the country on Oct. 30, 1946.

The currency’s history is on display at the Reksa Artha museum in Lebak Bulus, South Jakarta, which is owned by state banknote printing firm Peruri. “Reksa” and “artha” are Sanskrit words meaning “storing” and “money”, respectively.

The establishment of the museum was spearheaded by Wahyu Hagono, Peruri president director from 1974 to 1989.

Among the many items exhibited in the museum are printing presses, cutting machines, scales for coins and currency issued in the country from independence in 1945 until the New Order era.

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