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Aside from it being the royal residence of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar, the palace also functioned as a meeting place and a venue for complaints received from

the dignitaries and the ordinary folks especially on days where public audience are held in balairung seri. The palace was also used for the obeisance ceremony,
held one in every three years. In 19226, the Hig Commissioner, Sir Lawrence Gullmard, attended the ceremony. As of 1931 however, the palace was no longer

the official residence of the Yang di-Pertuan; a newer and more modern palace was built nearby.

The palace was once used by the Negeri Sembilan Islamic Religious Council as a religious school called the Sekolah Menengah Agama Tinggi (Religious High
School) from 1959 till 1964. The palace was the left unoccupied right until 1992 when, upon the idea mooted by the HRH Tuanku Jaafar Ibni Alhmarhum

Tuanku Abdul Rahman, the palace was gazetted as the Royal Museum. The Opening ceremony was held on 14 July 1992 (14 Muharram 1413 H). The

management of the Royal Museum is under the purview of the Negeri Sembilan State Museum.

It was then that, the Istana Lama Seri Menanti Royal Museum was given a new face-lift with the display of the Royal family collections. Each room is utilised

without changing the original palace form, and the functions of the spaces are explained. Additions to the museum collection are made from time to time with
the cooperation of the palace. The museum is well preserved as a cultural heritage for the benefit of the present and future generations. It will remain venerable,

the land of Seri Menanti as a witness to the past history and the future

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