Radya Pustaka Museum was built in 1980 by Kanjeng Adipati Sosrodiningrat IV, Pepatih Dalem when Paku Buwono IX and X reigned. This museum is located on Jalan Slamet Riyadi, Taman Sriwedari Complex. This museum keeps the history of RTH Djojohadiningrat II, that founded Paheman Radya Pustaka and the museum. But the realization actualized on October 28 1890. Rsdya Pustaka Museum eternize the founder by naming the eastern wing of the museum as Walidyasana, derives from his childhood name Walid and Asana means place. This land of where the building stands was purchased by Sri Susuhunan Paku Buwana X for 65.000 Gulden from Johanes BUsselaar. To honor KRA Sosrodiningrat, established a statue of him in the middle of museum that was once known as Lohi Kadipolo.

Museum was used as cultural media, such as sarasehan of Javanese literature every Wednesday night, using Antisana Kepatihan room. Kepatihan room is completed with Panti Wibawa room that keeps culture books. Radya Pustaka is active in book publishing books.

The museum was moved from Dalem Kepatihan to Geding Kadipolo on January 1st 1913. This building was used as museum and Sriwedari was used as Kebon Rojo. Paheman Radya Pustaka Institution then created on 11 NOvember 1951, and RI Government donate to this institution, museum employees as regarding this museum was the oldest museum in Indonesia.

In its activity, the museum held meeting from party of Kasunanan Surakarta, Kasultanan Yogyakarta, Pura Mangkunegaran, Pura Paku Alaman and audience, that yield Sriwedari spelling, an agreement of Javanese alphabet standard that become government resolution on 26 December 1822. Radya Pustaka then established Panitibasa on November 15 1941 that was led by G.B.H. Kusumayuda and published Candrawati and Nitibasa. Government  purchased Candrawati for school handbook, share for free.

Shadow puppeteer course was held on 1923 to 1942, Karawitan course by Dr H Kramer and Dr Th Pigeaud as instructors. Other activities as Exhibition of Shadow Puppet , Carving Exhibition and Also Batik Exbition are sometimes held here.

Collections displayed originate from Kasunanan Surakarta Palace, Kepatihan, also purchased items, and donating stuffs.

The museum activities for quarter century are International Museum Exhibition, museum renovation, writing contest for Surakarta student, renovation and published Sultan Abdulkamit Herucakra Kalifatullah Rasulullah in Java 1787-1855 and text entitled Urip-urip.

On the museum garden there is a half body statue of R. Ng. Ranggawarsita, and there are books written by him and other writer, Yasadipura that contain philosophy, life guidance, kings stories, history, literature and so on.

Other collections displayed are old javanese gamelan orchestra, ogamelan organ that resembles piano, old coins, old boat, shadow puppets, old statuary made of gold and bronze, umbrellas, and many more.

The museum is very useful for academics, from Indonesia and other countries to make research.