Government Museum, Salem

{{Infobox museum

| name = Government Museum, Salem

| native_name = அரசு அருங்காட்சியகம், சேலம்

| native_name_lang = ta

| image = A depiction of signboard of Government Museum in Salem.JPG

| imagesize = 250

| caption = A depiction of signboard of Government Museum in Salem

| alt =

| map_type =

| map_caption =

| map_size =

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| established = {{Start date and age|1976|df=y}}

| dissolved =

| location = Saradha College Road, Fairlands, Alagapuram,
Salem, Tamil Nadu.
PIN - 636 016

| coordinates = {{coord|11.677156|78.144522|region:IN|display=inline,title}}

| type = Heritage centre

| accreditation = Ministry of Culture (India)

| key_holdings =

| collections = Stone Age

| collection_size = 2000

| visitors =

| director = Principal Secretary & Commissioner of Museums{{cite web|title=About the Department|url=http://www.tn.gov.in/rti/proactive/inftour/handbook_museums.pdf|work=Government of Tamil Nadu|publisher=Department of Museums|accessdate=23 February 2014|pages=4, 5}}

| president =

| curator =

| owner = Government of Tamil Nadu

| publictransit = Bharat Ratna Dr. M.G.R. Central Bus Stand {{rail-interchange|bus}}
Alagapuram {{rail-interchange|bus}}
Salem Junction {{rail-interchange|rail}}

| car_park = On site

| website = {{URL|https://govtmuseumchennai.org/district-museum/salem}}

| network =

}}

The Salem Government Museum, located in Salem, Tamil Nadu, India, is a prominent museum dedicated to preserving and showcasing the rich cultural, historical, and artistic heritage of the region.{{Cite web|title=Salem |url=https://govtmuseumchennai.org/district-museum/salem |access-date=17 September 2024 |website=govtmuseumchennai.org |language=en}} Established in 1976, the museum serves as an educational and cultural resource for both locals and visitors. Also this is first district museum in Tamilnadu which is established by peoples.{{Cite web |last=g |first=eisha |date=16 September 2024 |title=Guide To Salem In Tamil Nadu: What To Do, Where To Go And More |url=https://www.outlooktraveller.com/destinations/india/guide-to-salem-tamil-nadu-what-to-do-there-where-to-go-and-more |access-date=17 September 2024 |website=Outlook Traveller |language=en}} {{Cite web |title=Salem Government Museum |url=https://salem.nic.in/museums/ |access-date=17 September 2024 |website=salem.nic.in}}

History

The Government Museum was established by then District Collector Thiru A.M. Swaminathan, I.A.S., with support from the Contemporary Writers and Painters Association, a local artist group. It was officially opened to the public in 1976. Initially, from 1976 to 1979, the museum operated under the District Administration. In 1979, it came under the Department of Museums. From 1979 to 1996, the museum was located at Three Bungalow, and from 1996 to January 2007, it was housed in the Court building. This museum was notable as the first district museum created by and for the people, setting a precedent for the establishment of other district museums.{{Cite news |date=20 May 2011 |title=Salem Government Museum in a state of neglect |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Coimbatore/salem-government-museum-in-a-state-of-neglect/article2035843.ece |access-date=17 September 2024 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}{{Cite web |title=Salem |url=https://govtmuseumchennai.org/district-museum/salem |access-date=17 September 2024 |website=govtmuseumchennai.org |language=en}}

Exhibits and collections

This museum is home for things used by Namakkal Kavignar V.Ramalingam, Ancient Tamil Coins, Pre-Independence Coins of Indian Union, Dutch, French Coins, Carved Animals, Birds, Inscriptions, Stone Idols, Wood Sculptures, Metal Sculptures, Artifacts, Ancient Tamil Items, Mudhumakkal Thazhi, Nadukal (Veerakal), stone carvings and flint fossils.{{Cite web |date=29 April 2019 |title=1200 ஆண்டுகளுக்கு முந்தைய வட்டெழுத்து கல்வெட்டு கண்டுபிடிப்பு |url=https://www.nakkheeran.in/24-by-7-news/thamizhagam/salem-district-mettur-teacher |access-date=17 September 2024 |website=nakkheeran |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=கே.ரமேஷ் |first=வீ |date=15 May 2019 |title=2,500 ஆண்டு பழங்கால 200 கல் படுக்கைகள் கண்டுபிடிப்பு!- தொல்லியல் துறை ஆய்வு செய்யக் கோரிக்கை |url=https://www.vikatan.com/government-and-politics/157495-about-2500-year-old-stone-beds-found |access-date=17 September 2024 |website=www.vikatan.com/ |language=ta}}

This museum exhibits collection of various archeological sculptures from Salem region including Salem, Namakkal, Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts.

New building

Since from establishment of museum in Salem, it is functioning in temporary and rental building, in this case TamilNadu government announced, that permanent own building for Salem government museum will built. A new building is coming up in Hastampatti near Salem taluk office at the cost of ₹3.40 crores. This new building for government museum will have ground floor, first floor and second floor.{{Cite web |title=சேலம் அஸ்தம்பட்டியில் அமைகிறது ₹3.40 கோடியில் புதிய அரசு அருங்காட்சியகம்-தொன்மை பொக்கிஷங்களை பாதுகாக்க ஏற்பாடு |url=https://m.dinakaran.com/article/news-detail/815292 |access-date=17 September 2024 |website=www.dinakaran.com |language=en}}