Sonobudoyo Museum is a foundation, which engages Java, Bali, Lombok, and Madura cultures. The Foundation was established in 1919 in Surakarta, under the name Java Institute. In the decision of Congress in 1924, Java Institute established a museum in Yogyakarta. In 1929 performed data collection culture of Java, Bali, Lombok, and Madura. The Museum Planning Committee establishment was formed in 1913 with members of Ir. Th. Karsten P.H.W. Sitsen and Kupferberg.
The museum used the former land gift from Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono VIII and marked with Sengkalan Candrasengkala "Buta ngrasa destining lata" in 1934. The inauguration by Sultan Hamengkubuwana VIII on Wednesday Ruwah wage on 9th 1866 and characterized by sengkala "Wood Kinayang Ing Brahmin Buddha" meaning in Java or November 6 ‘1935 AD. During the Japanese occupation, Sonobudoyo was managed by Regent Paniradyapati Wiyata Praja. The Regent of Utorodyopati Prawito Culture now manages it at the time of independence of the Yogyakarta government.
Subsequently, in late 1974, Sonobudoyo submitted to the Department of Education and Culture and was directly responsible to the Directorate General of Law No. 22 of 2000, concerning the authority of Government and Autonomous Regions. Sonobudoyo Museum joined the Department of Culture and Tourism of Yogyakarta Province in January 2001 and proposed Regulation No. UPTD. 7 / Th. 2002 on August 3 ‘2002. Regional Department UPTD organization establishment, within Yogyakarta Government and Gubernatorial Decree No. 161/Th November 4 ‘2002.
This Sonobudoyo saved 10 types of Collections:
- Collection of Geology
- Collection of Biology
- Collection of Ethnografica
- Collection of Archaeology
- Collection of Numismatica / Heraldica
- Collection of History
- Collection of Filology
- Collection of Ceramology
- Collection of Fine Arts
- Collection of Technology