• Society

The Battambang Museum: Built for a Governor, Now Showcasing the Region’s History

• By Mom Pitu
• January 15, 2024 2:00 PM

Battambang — Located in a French-colonial style building designed by an Italian architect for the province’s governor, the Battambang Museum is now home to artifacts and artworks reflecting the province’s history.

Built as the mansion of Governor Lord Chhum, the building has gone through several transformations during its 117 years. 

According to the book “Battambang during the time of the Lord Governor” written by Tauch Chhuong, Lord Chhum was the last governor of Battambang to serve while the province was under Siam (today Thailand) control. His family had ruled Battambang province for five generations under Siamese rule, that is, from 1795 to 1907.

In 1905, Chhum had hired an Italian architect based in Bangkok to construct a building in the French style to serve as his personal residence, Chhuong writes. 

At the time, France had been managing Cambodia since the signing of the protectorate treaty in 1867, which had been sought by Cambodia as protection against its neighbors Thailand and Vietnam.

In 1907, France, at the request of King Sisowath, demanded and obtained from Thailand the return of Battambang province, Serey Sophorn (today Banteay Meanchey province) and Angkor (today Siem Reap province). Chhum decided to sell his house to the French authorities. He then moved to Thailand, marking the end of the once most powerful family rule in the province. 

The building was used as the workplace and residence of high-ranking French officials. During the Khmer Rouge regime of April 1975 to January 1979, the building served as storage for staple food. Then until 2005, it was the Battambang Provincial Hall.

Furniture and objects used in the building since the early 1900s are displayed at the museum. Photo: Mom Pitu

Today, there still are at the museum 13 different tiles originally shipped from Italy, said Sao Vantha, an official in charge of the museum.  But what is special, she said, is that now, in 2024, the 117-year-old museum building does not have a single pillar. 

Becoming a museum 

Today, the former provincial hall has become the Battambang Museum, attracting Cambodian and international visitors. Situtated in the heart of Battambang City, the museum remains part of the provincial administration compound. 

At the front gate, one can see two big guns and two large statues of lions standing guard at the main entrance. 

The museum’s collection includes paintings depicting various events that took place during the administration of each governor during the Thai regime and during the French Protectorate that ended in 1953 when King Norodom Sihanouk proclaimed the country’s independence.

Equipment and furniture from the 19th and 20th centuries are also on display.  

Some rooms at the museum feature the furniture and décor of the building’s past eras. Photo: Mom Pitu