YANGON, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar's historic Secretariat Building, known as Ministers' Office previously, is nearing completion with its renovation work and is scheduled to open as a museum in July, according to the Secretariat Conservation Trust (SCT) on Tuesday.
The cultural heritage building located in the downtown Yangon will feature two showrooms, with one dedicated to martyrs and the other to serving as a parliamentary exhibition hall.
The aim of opening the museum is to raise the awareness of youths about the history of Myanmar's independence struggle as well as to boost tourism, said SCT Chairman Dr. Maung Maung Thein.
The iconic Secretariat Building was built in the late 19th century and is more than 120 years old.
Sitting at the heart of the city, the elegant Victorian-style building served as the British seat of government for Myanmar until the country's independence in 1948.
The historic building was also the site where national hero General Aung San and six cabinet ministers were assassinated by political rivals on July 19, 1947, the date now commemorated as Myanmar Martyrs' Day.
General Aung San was the 5th premier during the colonial period.
This significant building was closed for several years and has been under restoration to be transformed into a museum.
