CAG inaugurates India’s first ‘Chadwick House: Navigating Audit Heritage’ Museum at Shimla

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India inaugurated the ‘Chadwick House: Navigating Audit Heritage’ Museum at Shimla on June 24. A significant milestone in the preservation and celebration of the institution’s rich heritage and contributions to the nation’s governance.

About Chadwick House

Chadwick House, a significant landmark in Shimla, boasts a rich and extensive history. Its historical significance is further highlighted by Mahatma Gandhi’s stay in 1946 during his visit to Shimla for the Cabinet Mission. Post-independence, in 1950, a training school for the Indian Audit and Accounts Service was started here. With the training establishment moving, Chadwick House gradually fell into disrepair. Without proper care and maintenance, it was on the brink of demolition in 2018. At that juncture, the Supreme Audit Institution of India stepped in to safeguard its heritage.

Importance of the museum

The event was attended by members of the CAG’s Audit Advisory Board, senior officers of state government, and other distinguished guests. In his inaugural address, Shri Girish Chandra Murmu emphasised the importance of the museum as a repository of knowledge and a source of inspiration for future generations of auditors. He expressed happiness that the journey of the institution, one of the pillars of democracy contributing to good governance by ensuring integrity, transparency, and accountability, has been very effectively captured in the museum. He remarked, “Chadwick House has witnessed history being made, and henceforth, it should serve as a testament of our unwavering dedication to public service.

Chadwick House open to the public

• The Museum at Chadwick House is now open to the public and welcomes visitors from all walks of life to explore and learn about the legacy and continuing journey of the institution of CAG.
• The museum is housed in Shimla at Chadwick House, where a batch of Indian Audit and Accounts Service officers from independent India underwent training in 1950.
• It preserves a treasure trove of artefacts, including Remington typewriters, British era franking machines, clocks, and trophies from the field offices of CAG.

Features of Chadwick house

• The museum features cutting-edge interactive displays, diorama sets, including digital archives, audio-visual presentations, and interactive kiosks. It has 10 galleries, each highlighting a different aspect of the institution’s history and contributions.
• The museum is open to the public and welcomes visitors from all walks of life to explore and learn about the legacy and continuing journey of the institution of CAG.