All about Metcalfe Town Hall Kolkata Museum 2025

Metcalfe Town Hall, Kolkata, is one of India’s heritage buildings. The name of Sir Charles Metcalfe Hall was given. The place is at the junction of Strand Road and Hair Street. It’s the first library in India, named the Calcutta Public Library.

Do you want to familiarise yourself with Kolkata’s culture, heritage, and artistry in half an hour? Then, you are on the right page.

পড়ুন :- মেটকাফ টাউন হল মিউজিয়াম কলকাতা

About Metcalfe Hall, Kolkata, West Bengal

When you enter through the gate, many pillars stand. Like the ancient Greek temples of Athens, the building’s architectural style is called the Tower of the Winds.

The 30 pillars stand straight from the basement up to the ceiling. Metcalfe Hall Kolkata has five hall rooms and a two-story traditional building.  

Charles Theophilus Metcalfe was the acting governor-general of British India from 1835 to 1836. The British created the structure to honour his significant work in the free press of India. 

Construction began in 1840 and took four years to finish (1844). The architect at that time was the City Magistrate C. K Robinson.

Before Metcalfe Hall was announced as a heritage building, the Asiatic Society’s Annexe Building was located on the ground floor of Metcalfe Hall, Kolkata.

The first floor is occupied by the Archaeological Survey of India (A.S.I.), a small museum with photographs of the Archaeological Survey of India’s conservation projects in West Bengal and eastern India.

Metcalfe Hall History

In 1830, Dwarka Nath Tagore established the first public library in Calcutta in the “Strong Sahib” home at Dharmatala. Later, the library transferred to Fort William. In 1835, Governor-General Sir Charles Metcalfe set up a house in the Greek Temple of Athens style.

The house was built in 1844 and named Metcalfe Hall. Metcalfe brought about 4,500 books from Fort William and several personal collections. He established the Calcutta Public Library from this collection. In 1903, Lord Curzon renamed this library the Imperial Library. After independence, it was renamed the National Library of India on Alipur Belvedere Road on 1 February 1953.

This building is divided into two parts. The first floor became the office of the Asiatic Society, which preserves the collection of foreign journals and manuscripts. The second floor is the office of the Archaeological Survey of India.

Later, A.S.I. and the Ministry of Culture, Govt of India, renovated the house. The government then opened it to the public, and the hall was designed with the theme of “I am Kolkata.” After reopening, it’s now one of the most famous places in Kolkata.

Recovery of Metcalfe Hall

In 2018, the Archaeological Survey of India declared Metcalfe Hall Kolkata a heritage place. They decided to renovate it to its former glory, but it cannot be used as a library again. They converted it into a permanent exhibition space, displaying Kolkata’s proud moments.

The Asiatic Society Library, which preserves journals and manuscripts on the ground floor, is on the first floor, and the Archaeological Survey of India’s exhibition hall is on the first floor.

The I am Kolkata or Ami Kolkata Theme

In 2018, they started work to build an exhibition hall using the theme “I am Kolkata.” It shows the different cultures of the city’s past and present. Along with the traditional parts of our city, they use great technology and ideas, which we all should appreciate.

The hall design has many beautiful things, like a responsive touch screen, video projections, and hundreds of unforgettable city photographs. Like Jorasanko Thakurbari and the marble palace in Kolkata, the hall is ancient.

Watch the Kolkata tour on YouTube.

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How I Visited Metcalfe Hall – My Holiday Story

First, I see that “Alpona” starts from the ground-floor staircase and goes inside the hall. It is 70 metres long, which amazes me.
After entering the hall, you will see the famous hand-drawn rickshaws of old Kolkata.

Then, I saw a wonderful thing: a light set up on a frame, and the frame shadow made a beautiful “Alpona.” After that, I pressed a button on the audiovisual show via hand shadowgraphy.

After returning, I saw a white picture of old Kolkata and pictures of the renovation work in the hall.
On the way to the first floor, an old-time picture of Victoria Memorial Hall hangs on the walls.

The wall is decorated with posters of old Bengali films, covers of famous Bengali books, literature, poems, dances, songs, plays, movies, theatres, etc.

The First floor of Metcalf Hall

On the first floor, in the first room, I see a boat where a display is placed, creating a wave of the river.

I am surprised again that many windows were made there, decorated with famous pictures. It would look like the windows of Kolkata. And there are many nearly extinct letterboxes hanging on the wall.

Beside the wall is one of the most iconic cultures of Kolkata’s Durga idol, and our all-time favourite carom board is placed.

Pictures of Bengali cuisine include shrimp, Hilsa, Biryani, cakes, and Territy Bazaar Chinese food. After entering another room, I saw a sample of old poems and books.

After that, I saw a typewriter, famous paintings, various photo collages, posters of old advertisements, Parry’s sweets, the Elephant brand cigarette, and many years of Bengali calendars! Movie photo ad and bioscope sample.

Last, I found a Bengali wedding essential, “Topor.” A giant-sized “Topor” has been decorated and placed nicely.

After seeing so many things in one day, I am surprised and proud to be a Bengali. Thank you to those who have arranged many things and decorated for us under one roof.

Metcalfe Hall Entry Fee and Timings

The entry fee is 30 rupees, and a group discount is available. The event runs from 10 am to 5 pm.

How to reach Metcalfe Hall

Reach the Esplanade metro station and take a bus to Howrah railway station. Get down to Millennium Park. Opposite to it, Metcalfe Hall welcomes you.

Another way to visit is to take the Howrah Kolkata ferry service and reach Millennium Park. The next option is to come to Dalhousie and walk to the hall for 10 minutes. You can also come from B.B.D. Bag circular railway, which is 10 minutes’ walking distance from here.