Location : Gajah Mada Street no. 59,  Timuran, Banjarsari, Surakarta, Jawa Tengah

Designation Decree : Peraturan Menteri Kebudayaan dan Pariwisata Nomor : PM.57/PW.007/MKP/2010, SK Walikota Surakarta No. 432.2/310 Tahun 2019

The National Press Monument building was originally known as Societeit Mangkoenagaran, commonly called Soos. The word "Soos" is a shortened form of Societeit, which means a social gathering hall. The building was established by Prince Adipati Arya Mangkunegara VII and designed by the first native Javanese architect, Mas Aboekasan Atmodirono, in 1918. It underwent renovations in 1920 (RM Sayid, Babad Sala, 1984, p. 81; “Monumen Pers Nasional ing Sala”, Jayabaya No. 24, 8 February 1987). Located west of the Mangkunegaran Palace (Pura Mangkunegaran), the building was once described by an old journalist as a grand, towering structure reminiscent of Borobudur Temple. Around the Societeit was a spacious street and a lush garden known as Koesoemawardani Plein (Plein = public square). Across the street stood a sports facility (sport lokal) and a small building for youth activities such as scouting (Javaansche Padvinder Organisatie) and Kridamudo (a youth development movement). These facilities were situated directly opposite the Societeit Militair, the headquarters for Mangkunegaran military officers (Legiun Mangkoenagaran).

The purpose of the Societeit’s construction was to provide a venue for recreation and social events for staff and nobles of the Mangkunegaran court. It was freely accessible for rental by those circles. Additionally, Prince Mangkunegara VII founded a library to promote literacy, offering affordable access to books (Wahjoe Magazine, 3 March 1940, Mangkoenegara Nummer, p.9; Sejarah Perjuangan KGPAA Prangwadana VII, p.245).

In 1930, Societeit Mangkunegaran became an important witness to the youth movement Jong Java’s struggle. On 25th Ramadan 1852 Javanese Calendar, a three-day national youth congress was held here. The congress continued day and night, attended by youth organizations from across the archipelago. Less than five days before the congress, each of the youth leaders who would be attending had sent a letter to Sri Paduka requesting that sufficient accommodation be provided for their members who would be attending the congress. Sri Paduka was very pleased with this request and instructed the patih to prepare for this as necessary, considering that the congress participants were already prepared to bring their own food and drink.

At the initiative of the vizier, accommodation was provided for the prospective participants in front of the Societeit Building for easy communication, considering the congress was held day and night with rest only at 1:00 PM and 12:00 AM. Many important decisions were made at this congress. The congress concluded on the 28th of Ramadan 1852 (History of the Struggle of KGPAA Prangwadana VII, p. 176).

The Mangkoenagaran Society also played an important role in the history of broadcasting in Indonesia. On April 1, 1933, a meeting was held at this location which resulted in the establishment of the Solosche Radio Vereeniging, the first indigenous broadcasting group born in Solo, chaired by R.M. Ir. Sarsito Mangoenkoesoemo (Gedenkboek De Solosche Radio Vereeniging Soerakarta, p. 3).

After independence, the status and function of the Mangkoenagaran Society underwent changes. On February 9, 1956, when the Indonesian Journalists Association (Persatuan Wartawan Indonesia or PWI) celebrated its 10th anniversary, the idea emerged among journalists to establish the National Press Museum Foundation. The spirit of establishing this monument was reiterated at the PWI congress in Palembang in 1970. A year later, at the 25th anniversary celebration of PWI held on February 20, 1971, in Surakarta, Minister of Information Budiardjo agreed with the plan to establish a Press Museum in Surakarta. The technical implementation is entrusted to the Surakarta branch of PWI. In its development, the plan was further affirmed during the 15th PWI Congress in Tretes, East Java in 1975. Many parties agreed with the proposal to establish the Press Monument Museum. Furthermore, the realization of the plan matured further when the National Press Monument Construction Committee was later formed in Surakarta. However, the country's financial condition is not yet conducive, so development cannot be carried out.

On February 20, 1977, the Central PWI Management reiterated the formation of the National Press Monument Development Committee. Finally, through the Plenary Session of the Press Council held from August 3-5, 1977, which received support from President Suharto, Ibu Tien, the Minister of Information, and the press community, the construction of the National Press Monument in Surakarta was finally able to begin. The construction of the press monument did not take up to a year. On February 9, 1978, coinciding with the 32nd anniversary of PWI, the establishment of the Press Monument was inaugurated through the signing of a plaque.

When it was inaugurated, the Press Monument building was just the main structure. Subsequent development by Minister of Information Ali Moertopo involved expanding the main building, which included two two-story buildings, two four-story buildings, improvements to the main structure, and the addition of other facilities.

The inauguration of the expansion of the Press Monument Building was carried out by Minister of Information Ali Moertopo on April 26, 1980. On the occasion of the 39th anniversary of PWI, the government decided to designate February 9th as National Press Day based on Presidential Decree No. 5 of 1985, dated January 23, 1985. In front of the main building of the Press Monument, there are four dragon-shaped statues and a large gong hanging in front of the monument's main entrance. The dragon statues were created by sculptor Hudyanto Kusrin. Sequentially, the dragon statues at the press monument hold several meanings. The first dragon statue symbolizes the proclamation of August 17, 1945, the second symbolizes the birth of PWI on February 9, 1946, the third symbolizes the inauguration of the Press Monument by President Suharto on February 9, 1978, and the fourth symbolizes the inauguration of the expansion of the Press Monument Building by Minister of Information Ali Moertopo ("Monumen Pers Nasional ing Sala", Jayabaya No. 24, February 8, 1987).
 

The museum also has reservation and a conservatory room,  room for storing newspaper that were published before 2000 and room for storing newspaper  were published after 2000

It’s open for public everyday 

Day                     : Sunday – Saturday

Closed                 : Statutory  holiday

Time                    : 09.00 – 15.00

Entrance Fee     : Free off charge

So , don’t miss it while visiting Solo city…..see you there