B.J. Habibie Museum

Footprints of the Visionary: History and Significance of the B.J. Habibie Museum in Parepare

Museum B.J. Habibie is not merely a building storing artifacts, but a monument of respect for the nation's finest son, born on the soil of South Sulawesi. Strategically located in the City of Parepare, this museum stands on a strong historical foundation, occupying a site that is emotionally and historically directly connected to the childhood of Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie, the 3rd President of the Republic of Indonesia.

#

Origins and Establishment Period

The construction of the B.J. Habibie Museum began with the idea of the Parepare City Government to immortalize the journey of the "Father of Indonesian Technology." This decision was reinforced by the fact that Parepare was Habibie's birthplace on June 25, 1936. The location chosen for the museum's construction was also very specific: the land where B.J. Habibie's birth home stood on Jalan Alwi Abdul Jalil Habibie (formerly known as Jalan Panglima Polem), Ujung District.

The process of transforming this location into a museum began intensively in 2020. The Mayor of Parepare, Taufan Pawe, initiated this project as a final tribute after Habibie's passing in September 2019. The physical construction was carried out while preserving the sentimental value of the original land, to provide an authentic experience for visitors wishing to trace the roots of the visionary's life. The museum was eventually inaugurated as the first presidential museum in Indonesia established outside the Capital City of Jakarta and managed by the local government.

#

Architectural Style and Construction Details

Architecturally, the B.J. Habibie Museum adopts a modern-contemporary style while still incorporating local elements. The building is designed to reflect Habibie's technocratic yet humble personality. The museum's facade is dominated by sharp lines symbolizing the precision of science, the field Habibie dedicated his life to.

The museum's interior is divided into several thematic zones that follow the chronological flow of Habibie's life. The use of large glass materials in several corners gives an impression of openness and transparency, a philosophy that Habibie always held firmly in his leadership. One unique construction detail is the integration of digital technology in information presentation, reflecting the spirit of innovation that is the main identity of the figure. The building structure is two stories high with lighting arranged to highlight important collections without damaging the original materials.

#

Historical Significance and Related Events

This museum holds broad historical significance, extending beyond the geographical boundaries of Parepare. It is here that the collective memory of "Rudy's" (Habibie's nickname) childhood is preserved. Important events such as the Habibie family's period of refuge during the war of independence, to young Habibie's departure to Bandung and Germany for his studies, are beautifully narrated through dioramas and photo archives.

The existence of this museum also symbolizes Indonesia's democratic transition. As the President who led during the reform era, Habibie played a key role in laying the foundation for press freedom and regional autonomy. The museum houses important documents related to these crucial policies, making it a study center for researchers of Indonesian political history.

#

Important Figures and Monumental Collections

Besides the central figure of B.J. Habibie, the museum also provides space for the role of Mrs. Hasri Ainun Habibie. Their legendary love story, which has inspired millions, is also immortalized in a special room. The influence of Habibie's father, Alwi Abdul Jalil Habibie, an agricultural expert who passed away when Habibie was a teenager, is also depicted as a figure who shaped Rudy's disciplined character.

The collections on display include a replica of the N-250 Gatotkaca aircraft, Indonesia's aerospace masterpiece designed by Habibie. Additionally, visitors can see replicas of international awards, such as the Edward Warner Award and the Theodore Von Karman Award, which are global recognitions of his contributions to aerodynamics theory (Habibie Factor). Presidential service uniforms, original work chairs, and handwritten technical notes on aircraft structure design are the main attractions found nowhere else.

#

Preservation and Restoration Efforts

The Parepare City Government and the South Sulawesi Provincial Government are strongly committed to preserving this site. Given that most of the collections are paper documents and fabric materials, a special humidity control system (HVAC) is installed to prevent deterioration. Restorations are carried out periodically on the technical replicas to ensure they remain precise according to the original design.

The museum's status as a modern cultural heritage site continues to be strengthened through cooperation with the National Museum and professional archivists. The digitization of archives is also underway, where visitors can access Habibie's historical database through interactive devices within the museum, ensuring that historical data is preserved even though the original physical documents are stored in a protected special storage room.

#

Cultural Meaning and Educational Inspiration

For the people of Parepare and South Sulawesi, the B.J. Habibie Museum is a symbol of cultural pride. It breaks the stigma that centers of technological advancement belong only to Western nations. Habibie proved that a child from a small coastal city in Sulawesi could conquer the world with intelligence and hard work.

This museum serves as an educational center for the younger generation. The slogan "Mata Air" (Spring of Water) often spoken by Habibie—that every individual must be a clear spring for those around them—is the spirit of this museum. The museum regularly holds aerospace education programs for schoolchildren, making it a living institution that continuously regenerates Habibie's spirit within the nation's children.

#

Unique Historical Facts

One of the unique facts about this museum is the existence of "Rudy's Room." Although the original building has undergone a total renovation into a museum, the position of the room where Habibie was born has been maintained according to its original coordinates. Furthermore, the museum is built adjacent to the Monumen Cinta Sejati Habibie-Ainun (Habibie-Ainun True Love Monument) located in the city square, creating an integrated historical tourism circuit in the heart of Parepare City. This museum also holds the distinction of being the only place in South Sulawesi that stores a detailed chronology of the development of national strategic industries (IPTN) from the personal perspective of its founder.