The Museum Sarawak was established by the Second Rajah, Charles Brooke, in 1860, owing gratitude to the renowned naturalist, Alfred Russell Wallace, for his influence. Their intentions took shape with the creation of a temporary museum at the Market Place along Gambier Street in Kuching on 30 October 1886. Later, the museum was constructed at its current site and opened to the public on 4 August 1891.

This museum gradually evolved while preserving the original pride, identity, and traditions of our people, the Sarawakians. It stood firm during World War ll and remained steadfast when Sarawak achieved independence through the formation of Malaysia in 1963. Consequently, the Sarawak Museum received international recognition, not only as an exceptional museum but also as a research center in Borneo, publishing the Sarawak Museum Journal annually for global distribution since 1910.

It stands as a custodian of the rich cultural heritage and history of Sarawak and serves as a premier repository of Borneo's cultural wealth. In acknowledgment of its significance, the Museum Sarawak was established as a fully-fledged department under the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Sarawak. Today, the Museum Sarawak stands as a key landmark for tourists visiting Sarawak.