The museum building was originally constructed as an Anglican church in 1856 by the British.
The structure features distinctive stained-glass windows that remain largely intact despite the building's conversion into a museum.
The collection includes stone statues dating back to the 11th century found in local villages.
The museum preserves rare manuscripts written in Halegannada (Old Kannada).
The site includes a portrait gallery showcasing various rulers and administrators associated with the Coorg kingdom.
The Government Museum in Madikeri is housed within the historic Anglican St. Mark's Church, located inside the 17th-century Madikeri Fort. The museum displays a collection of artifacts detailing the history of the Coorg region, specifically the Haleri dynasty. Key exhibits include ancient copper inscriptions, weaponry, and traditional Kodava clothing. The building itself features colonial-era stained glass windows and arched architecture, contrasting with the fort’s earlier stone fortifications. Visitors can observe excavated pottery and stone tools recovered from various archaeological sites in Kodagu.
The exterior front facade, which highlights the contrast between the church's colonial architecture and the surrounding fort walls.
Visit the fort ramparts immediately after the museum to see the town skyline.
The floor inside the museum is uneven due to the historic architecture; wear comfortable walking shoes.
Carry a light jacket as the interior can be significantly cooler than the outdoor humidity.
Do not mistake the museum for the neighboring prison or administrative buildings within the fort complex.
Closed on Mondays and national public holidays.
Maintain a quiet tone appropriate for a site housed in a former church; photography policies may be enforced at the entrance.
