Harmony Society, Batavia

The society building was constructed to convince Europeans to move from the old city centre (now Kota, Jakarta) to the more southerly area of Weltevreden.

The first societeit club built in Batavia was at Buiten Nieuwpoorstraat (now Jalan Pintu Besar Selatan) in West Jakarta.

He wanted it to compete and undermine the influence of the Freemasons and it was part of his plan to move the administrative center of Batavia to the southern district of Weltevreden.

Construction was completed in late 1814 and the Harmonie club opened on January 18, 1815, to coincide with the official birthday of Queen Charlotte, wife of the then British King George III.

[1] A Dutch cultural fair (Kermis) was held at the club and the Harmonie hosted a party for the 250th anniversary of the city of Batavia May 29, 1869.