Managing Historical Collections through Cataloging Workshops at the Joang ’45 Museum and Taman Prasasti Museum

#KoleksiKita, together with the Jakarta Department of Culture through Jakarta Digital Collections (JDC), organized a collection cataloguing workshop at Museum Joang ’45 on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, marking the start of the November program series.

During the workshop, ten participants from Museum Joang ‘45 and MH Thamrin learned how to complete cataloguing forms and practiced the cataloguing workflow, from object handling to tracking each collection’s journey.

Amid the cataloguing practice session, participants were divided into several groups to ensure the process ran more effectively. Several objects were used as materials for the digital cataloguing practice during the workshop, including:

- Pataka of the Pattimura Division: A ceremonial flag representing the identity of the exponents of the ’45 Generation from the Pattimura Division, made in 1946 by Sar Sapacua. This banner was used in various battles, from Magelang to Yogyakarta and other regions.

- Pattimura Banner/Pataka: In 1947, the Pattimura Banner was used in a parade honoring Commander General Sudirman in Yogyakarta. In 1950, it was again used during the TNI (Indonesian National Armed Forces) landing operation to suppress the Republic of South Maluku rebellion in Ambon.

- Military Canteen Type M94: A military canteen of Type M94 from the collection of Mrs. Ratu Siti Asiah Husen, a fighter from the Women’s Militia (Laskar Wanita). Canteens like this were used by female fighters who bravely dedicated their lives in the struggle for Indonesia’s independence.

- Army Officer’s Mess Kit: A military mess kit from the collection of Mrs. Ratu Siti Asiah Husen, a fighter from the Women’s Militia. The kit originated from Japan and was used by Japanese troops during World War II. It originally functioned as a field mess kit for officers of the Japanese Army.

- Steel Military Helmet Type M1 (Marine): Used by American troops during World War II. The M1 helmet was introduced in June 1941 to replace the M1917 type helmet previously used during World War I.

Museum Joang ’45 houses around 1,658 collections consisting of photographs, paintings, sculptures, and memorabilia. Meanwhile, Museum Taman Prasasti is estimated to hold around 1,100 collection objects, including tombstones, statues, and burial urns.

Through this workshop, museum staff are expected to gain stronger skills in cataloguing objects and documenting their provenance. The data produced will soon be available for public access on the Jakarta Digital Collections platform.

The #KoleksiKita team applies cataloguing systems rooted in international best practices, such as the Getty Vocabularies (AAT, TGN, ULAN) and the Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH), to enhance documentation, preservation, and accessibility of museum collections.

This initiative is supported by the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP), which is committed to preserving historic buildings, archaeological sites, cultural objects, museum collections, and traditional expressions such as language and music in participating countries.