The palace buildings were all destroyed when the Burmese sacked the city in the eighteenth century. The complex was abandoned until late in the nineteenth century, when King Rama IV build new buildings to use as his residence and the provincial offices. It was, in fact, one of the province's first governors Lord Boranrachathanin, who began collecting the historical artifacts that came to his attention, eventually putting them on display in the stable building. Later, in 1904, the displays were moved to the Chaturamuk Pavilion, which had been Rama IV's throne hall. In 1936, four years after the revolution ending the absolute monarchy, the palace and its collections were designated a National Museum under the management of the Fine Arts Department.