Government Museum, Salem

Government Museum, Salem
அரசு அருங்காட்சியகம், சேலம்
	A depiction of signboard of Government Museum in Salem
Established	1976; 48 years ago
Location	Saradha College Road, Fairlands, Alagapuram,; Salem, Tamil Nadu.; PIN - 636 016
Coordinates	11.677156°N 78.144522°E
Type	Heritage centre
Accreditation	Ministry of Culture (India)
Collections	Stone Age
Collection size	2000
Director	Principal Secretary & Commissioner of Museums
Owner	Government of Tamil Nadu
Public transit access	Bharat Ratna Dr. M.G.R. Central Bus Stand ; Alagapuram ; Salem Junction
Nearest car park	On site
Website	govtmuseumchennai.org/district-museum/salem

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.^[2] 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.^[3] ^[4]

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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.^[5]^[6]

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.^[7]^[8]

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

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.^[9]