The Heritage Centre was formally inaugurated by Dr. Arcot Ramachandran, former Director of IIT Madras on 3rd March 2006. The Centre is located on the ground floor of the administration building. The actual idea of a Heritage Centre was mooted in the year 2000 and it became a reality due to the efforts of Dr. Ajit Kumar Kolar and his team. The Centre is a repository of material of heritage value and historical significance of various facets of the Institute.
Visit of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to West Germany and the offer made to him by the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany to assist in the setting up of a higher technological institute in India.
The signing of the first Indo-German agreement in Bonn, West Germany for the establishment of the Indian Institute of Technology at Madras.
Formal inauguration of the Institute by Prof.Humayun Kabir, Union Minister for Scientific Research and Cultural Affairs, Dr.A.Lakshmanaswamy Mudaliar assumes office as the first Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Institute. Prof.B.Sengupto assumes office as the first Director of the Institute.
Declaration of the Institute by the Parliament of India as an institution of National importance.
Visit to the Institute by Dr.Heinrich Lubke, President of the Federal Republic of Germany and the unveiling of a tablet symbolising the Indo-German technical assistance programme.
Dr. A. Ramachandran takes over as Director from Prof. B. Sengupto.
The Heritage Centre is located in the ground floor of the Administration Block, right next to Gajendra Circle. It occupies the space where the old manual telephone exchange was situated.
The display at the Heritage Centre provides a pictorial account of the events that led to the founding of IIT Madras, student life in the early years of the institute, the development of technological and other facilities and visits by distinguished people. The display also encompasses the campus and distinuished alumni.
Also on display are a variety of artefacts including the foundation stone laid at the inauguration of the institute in 1959, a life size oil painting of Prof. B. Sengupto, the first Director of IIT Madras, and a replica of the Inter-IIT Sports Trophy.