BANDUNG, 2024 — Efforts to preserve cultural heritage are being realized through research conducted by students of the Library and Information Science (LIS) Study Program, Faculty of Communication Sciences, Padjadjaran University. This research examines the collection preservation strategies and practices at the West Java People’s Struggle Museum, located at Jalan Dipati Ukur No. 48, Bandung City. The research was conducted by Katherine Rahelina, along with two supervisors, Saleha Rodiah and Ute Lies Siti Khadijah. The study focuses on the preventive and curative preservation methods applied to maintain the integrity and informational value of the museum’s diverse collections, such as uniforms, dioramas, weapons, and other historical artifacts.
The background to this research is highly relevant, considering that most of the museum’s collections are over 70 years old and highly vulnerable to damage. Collection preservation is crucial to ensure that the historical value and information contained within them are not lost over time. Therefore, this study aims to document the museum’s preservation efforts, which it hopes will serve as a reference for other museum institutions. These findings also support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), namely SDG 4 (Quality Education) by providing access to historical knowledge, and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements) through the preservation of urban cultural heritage.
This research was conducted using a qualitative approach and descriptive methods, with data collected through field observations, interviews, and literature review. Katherine Rahelina conducted the data collection on September 26, 2022. This process detailed how museum staff implemented two types of preservation to maintain the integrity of its collections.
Technically, the museum employs preventative preservation strategies, such as storing collections in glass cabinets. In addition, environmental controls are implemented through dim lighting and regular room temperature monitoring. Curative preservation, on the other hand, is routinely carried out, including fumigation, collection cleaning, washing fabrics with special solutions, and restoring damaged artifacts. All of these measures, including cleaning the glass partitions, are carried out every three months or sooner if necessary.
The research results show that the West Java People’s Struggle Museum has successfully implemented both types of preservation, with a greater emphasis on curative preservation. Museum management consistently fumigates and cleans the collection every three months to prevent damage from insects and mold. The exhibition space is well-maintained, with no evidence of mold, insects, or rodents. Even when the air conditioning is not turned on, the room temperature remains stable.
These findings confirm that systematic and ongoing preservation efforts are highly effective in maintaining the historical and informative value of the museum’s collections. Thus, this valuable collection can continue to be used as a learning resource for the public and the younger generation about the history of the West Javanese people’s struggle. A scientific article summarizing the results of this research was accepted on August 12, 2024, approved on October 5, 2024, and officially published on October 29, 2024.
The full article is available at:
http://media.unpad.ac.id/files/publikasi/2025/rpm_20250205215048_6162.pdf
Authors: Ridha Amalia, Nadziva Shaqeena, and Moh. Fikri Ardinata Fuadi
