Home / Arts and Entertainment / Fort St. George Exchange Building: A 230-Year-Old Colonial Gem Restored
Fort St. George Exchange Building: A 230-Year-Old Colonial Gem Restored
22 Aug
Summary
- A 230-year-old colonial exchange building in Chennai is set for restoration.
- The Fort Museum within the building will be upgraded to enhance visitor experience.
- Key artefacts include India's only surviving 1947 flag and Robert Clive's marriage register.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has announced plans to restore Chennai's 230-year-old colonial exchange building, which currently houses the Fort Museum within Fort St. George. This three-storey structure, built between 1790 and 1795, is noted for its robust design, with the ground floor featuring a vaulted roof engineered to withstand sea cannon fire.
The ASI will undertake structural conservation and a comprehensive revamp of the Fort Museum, aiming to present its collection of over 3,500 colonial artefacts in a modern manner with upgraded lighting. This two-year project will be conducted in phases to ensure minimal disruption to museum visitors.
Notable exhibits include the original Indian national flag hoisted on August 15, 1947, and the register from St. Mary's Church documenting Robert Clive's marriage. The museum also features an extensive arms gallery and displays related to the building's historical role as a trading hub and later as officers' mess.
Excavations have revealed an underground chamber on the ground floor, possibly used for ice storage. The building's history also includes housing the Madras Bank and the city's first lighthouse in 1796. The first floor's long room, once a venue for public meetings and official entertainments, now displays the portrait gallery.
