[1] It was established in 1982 by the consent of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah as an institute of historical research on Brunei for the benefit of the Bruneian people.

[2] On 25 January 1982, the Brunei History Centre's building at Jalan Stoney, Bandar Seri Begawan, was officially opened.

[4][5] Initially, the Centre was housed in the main branch of the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Library at Jalan Elizabeth II, Bandar Seri Begawan.

[4][5] Since its founding in 1982, the Brunei History Centre's Archives Division has been an essential research and reference resource for the public and government organisations.

Historical literature covering national, cultural, and economic history, especially as it relates to Brunei, Southeast Asia, and beyond, is the main emphasis of the library's collection.