The roots of the Indonesian Heritage Society (“IHS”) date back to 1970 when Mrs. Zainal Abidin and Mrs. Reidun Loose, spouse of the former Norwegian Consul General to Indonesia, were active at the Museum Nasional. Their common goal to support the Museum and to promote the preservation and appreciation of Indonesian art and culture, inspired them to establish the Ganesha Volunteers, with 17 volunteers. Among other attributes, the Hindu god Ganesha is known for his unquenchable thirst for knowledge.

In 1994, Mrs. Abidin decided to focus on her numerous businesses. Although the organization would continue to carry out the original mission and activities of the Ganesha Volunteers, Indonesian law necessitated the formation of a new legal entity. IHS was officially established as a Yayasan and inaugurated at the Museum Nasional in 1995 with its first President, Ibu Juliana Roe. Members of the first Board of Governors were Ibu Hilde Ardie, Bapak Prof. Dr. Anak Agung Gde Agung, Bapak Wiwoho Basuki, Ibu Kartini Basuki, and Dr. Nafsiah Mboi. Under new regulations, the “Board of Governors” are now the “Board of Trustees” with Trustees Bapak Prof. Dr. Anak Agung Gde Agung, Bapak Wiwoho Basuki, Ibu Juliana Roe, and Ibu Lily Santoso. Today, the Indonesian Heritage Society has hundreds of volunteers hailing from more than 30 countries.