Liberian National Museum

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

The basis for the National Museum was formed in the 1960s from the collections of the University of Monrovia, these were scientific collections of botany, zoology and geology of the country, including technical apparatus and equipment of scientific importance. The country's history, culture and crafts of indigenous peoples constituted further focus of museum work and the collection activity dar.

Description

The National Museum is housed in a two-story colonial-style building, this originally served as the official residence of the Liberian judicial authority and is now called Old Supreme Court on the ground floor, the museum information and the most important exhibits are the country's history, usually photocopies and newly acquired or nachgefertigte objects ( masks, tools, ritual objects ) and evidence of recent history. A hall -like space on the upper floor is used for art exhibitions and lectures.

History

Under President William S. Tubman interest in the culture of the country has been promoted through various projects since the late 1950s. Tubman led the first project the establishment of a cultural center in the settlement Kendeja, a popular beauty spot, about 15 kilometers north of the capital, Monrovia. The there from all parts of the country gathered objects constituted a representative cross -section of the cultural diversity of the country dar. For the tourists and employees of foreign companies that reinforced arrived in Tubman's tenure in Liberia, he led the formation of a museum village in the town of Besao Village. This site was of national importance, there was in the 19th century, the residence of the king Ngola of Gola, which was that chieftain, who welcomed the first settlers and was also willing to sell land to the settlers. It is also notable, founded in the port city of sport Robert Tubman Center of African Culture, it served the tourism and urgency of the training of artists and an international meeting place.

Since many African countries received their independence in the 1960s, Tubman was often traveling abroad go. He was accompanied on these trips always a created from selected dancers and artists, culture and dance group. As a diplomatic gesture of the President needed also representative inaugural gifts and valuable presents. A specially created department of Culture and Tourism was formed and given the task to stock such presents. The now purchased from all parts of the country, and often confiscated objects and works of art were collected in a depot, it was decided the establishment of a national museum to use the unneeded objects as a tourist attraction can. First, a building was constructed in the old town, but the one transport project fell in the 1970s to the victim. The present building was built in the founding period of Liberia as Supreme Court and thus also had a historical reference to the country's history.

With the change of power in 1980, the National Museum was taken over by the rebels. The new government had the museum first must close and was construction as the reason. Only in 1987 the " new building" was based. In order to send a signal sent by UNESCO in 1982 an inspector who had to inspect the condition of the Liberian museums. It was made a visit report, which made ​​recommendations to improve the situation encountered. The then Director BARDIE Urey Weck and her curator Owen Moore had to admit numerous failings and shortcomings. In the years following the Civil War, the museum has been repeatedly attacked and looted.

Objects

Among the most interesting exhibits that have been preserved from the original collection also includes a table - as a gift to the Republic of Liberia sent by Queen Victoria. In one case a historical national flag is shown. Some records and documents were received or were donated to the museum.