National Museum (Monrovia)

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The National Museum in Monrovia is a national monument of Liberia . It is located on Broad Street , in historic Old Town, on Capitol Hill .

The basis for the National Museum was formed in the 1960s from collections of the University of Monrovia , these were scientific collections on botany , zoology and geology of the country, also technical apparatus and devices of scientific importance. The national history, culture and handicrafts of the indigenous peoples were further focal points of the museum work and collection activities.

description

The National Museum is housed in a two-story colonial-style building that originally served as the official residence of the Liberian judiciary and is now called the Old Supreme Court . On the ground floor you will find the museum information and the most important exhibits on the country's history, usually photocopies and newly acquired or reproduced objects (masks, tools, cult objects) as well as evidence of recent history. A hall-like room on the upper floor is used for picture exhibitions and lectures.

history

Under President William S. Tubman , interest in the country's culture has been promoted through various projects since the late 1950s. As a first project, Tubman initiated the establishment of a cultural center in the settlement of Kendeja , a popular excursion destination, about 15 kilometers north of the capital Monrovia. The objects collected there from all parts of the country represented a representative cross-section of the country's cultural diversity. For the tourists and employees of foreign companies who increasingly came to Liberia during Tubman's tenure, he arranged the formation of a museum village in Besao Village . This place was of national importance, in the 19th century there was the residence of King Ngola of Gola , the tribal prince who welcomed the first settlers and was also willing to sell land to the settlers. Also noteworthy is the Tubman Center of African Culture founded in the port city of Robertsport , it served tourism and primarily the training of artists and an international meeting place.

As numerous African states gained their independence in the 1960s, Tubman was often on the move abroad. A culture and dance group made up of selected dancers and artists accompanied him on these trips. As a diplomatic gesture, the President also needed representative inaugural gifts and valuable presents. A specially created department for culture and tourism was set up and was given the task of storing such presents. The objects and works of art that were now bought from all parts of the country, often confiscated, were collected in a depot, and it was decided to found a national museum in order to be able to use the objects that were not needed as a tourist attraction. First they moved into a building in the old town, which however fell victim to a traffic project in the 1970s. The current building was built as the Supreme Court when Liberia was founded and thus had a historical reference to the country's history.

With the change of power in 1980, the museum was taken over by the putschists. The new government had to close the museum first and gave construction work as the reason. Only in 1987 was the "new building" occupied. To set an example, UNESCO dispatched an inspector as early as 1982 to examine the state of the Liberian museums. A visit report was made that made recommendations for improving the situation found. The then director Bardie Urey Wecks and her curator Owen Moore had to admit numerous omissions and shortcomings. In the following years of the civil war, the museum was raided and looted several times.

Objects

One of the most interesting exhibits that have been preserved from the original collection is a table - sent as a present to the Republic of Liberia by Queen Victoria . A historical national flag is displayed in a showcase. Some certificates and documents have been preserved or donated to the museum.

Web links

Coordinates: 6 ° 18'59.5 "  N , 10 ° 48'13.7"  W.