Antiquities and Monuments Office was established when the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance

Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance

The Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance, in Hong Kong Law , was enacted in 1976 to preserve the objects of historical, archaeological and palaeontological interest and for matters ancillary thereto or connected therewith...

 (now housed in the Former Kowloon British School

Former Kowloon British School

The building of Former Kowloon British School is located 136, Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong.-History:It is the oldest surviving school building which is constructed for children of overseas parents living in Hong Kong. In 1900, Mr. Ho Tung donated $15,000 to the Government to set...

) was enacted in 1976, to preserve Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...

's monuments under appropriate protection.

The AMO is responsible for identifying, recording and researching buildings and items of historical interest, as well as organizing and coordinating the surveys

Statistical survey

Survey methodology is the field that studies surveys, that is, the sample of individuals from a population with a view towards making statistical inferences about the population using the sample. Polls about public opinion, such as political beliefs, are reported in the news media in democracies....

 and excavations of areas of archaeological significance.
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department

Leisure and Cultural Services Department

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department , often abbreviated as LCSD, is a department in the Government of Hong Kong. It reports to the Home Affairs Bureau, headed by the Secretary for Home Affairs. It provides leisure and cultural activities for the people of Hong Kong, which was also one of...

 now manages the Office.

Hierarchy

The AMO is under the responsibility of the Antiquities Authority, a portfolio of the Home Affairs Secretary. The Government's problematic and confusing framework was exposed by the battle to preserve Queen's Pier

Queen's Pier

Queen's Pier, named after Queen Victoria, was a public pier in front of City Hall in Edinburgh Place, Central, Hong Kong. For three generations it served not only as a public pier in day-to-day use but also as a major ceremonial arrival and departure point...

. The director of Hong Kong University's architectural conservation program, said that the government needed to clarify relations and responsibilities between the board, the office and the Antiquities Authority.

Job duties

One of the Duties of the Office is fostering public awareness of Hong Kong's heritage through education, publicity programmes and setting up of heritage trails and exhibition centres. Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre

Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre

The Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre is located in the Kowloon Park, Haiphong Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong.The Centre occupies the historic Blocks S61 and S62 of the former Whitfield Barracks at the Kowloon Park.-History:...

 and Ping Shan Tang Clan Gallery cum Heritage Trail Visitors Centre are under the management of the Office.

The adaptive reuse

Adaptive reuse

Adaptive reuse refers to the process of reusing an old site or building for a purpose other than which it was built or designed for. Along with brownfield reclamation, adaptive reuse is seen by many as a key factor in land conservation and the reduction of urban sprawl...

 of some historical buildings are organized by the Office. The office also provides subvention to the Hong Kong Archaeological Society

Hong Kong Archaeological Society

Hong Kong Archaeological Society is a government funded organization dedicated to carry out excavation and preserve archaeological heritage in Hong Kong...

for excavations and surveys unexplored heritages.