The Stadthuys

The Stadthuys, also known as the Red Square, is a historical structure situated in the heart of Melaka/Malacca Town, the administrative capital of the state of Melaka/Malacca, Malaysia. It was built by the Dutch occupants in 1650 as the office of the Dutch Governor and Deputy Governor. When Melaka/Malacca was handed over to the British in the 19th century, the Melaka/Malacca Free School was opened in the vicinity of the Stadthuys on 7 December 1826, by missionaries residing in the state, in response to a letter dated 19 April 1825, signed by a J. Humprey, J. W. Overee and A. W. Baumgarten, which called for an English institutional education to be built in Melaka/Malacca.