THE Penang State Museum has recorded 72,355 visitors since reopening on July 24, with its exhibitions combining the building’s educational heritage with contemporary displays on national identity and Penang’s history.
State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai (PH-Paya Terubong) said the museum’s design drew inspiration from its original role as an educational institution.
He was replying to a question from Connie Tan (PH-Seri Delima) at the State Legislative Assembly sitting today.
Wong said the building originally housed Penang Free School from 1821 to 1927, before the school moved to Green Lane. It was subsequently occupied by Hutchings School from 1928 to 1960.
The Penang State Museum and Art Gallery was established in 1964 and officially opened on April 14, 1965, by Penang’s first Governor, the late Raja Tun Uda Al-Haj Raja Muhammad.
He said the museum’s exhibition approach centred on recreating the school environment of the early 1900s, allowing visitors to learn about the history of education and experience the atmosphere of schools in the past.
The museum also features exhibition sections based on the five principles of the Rukun Negara to promote national identity, unity and patriotism.
Penang’s history, from its early days to the present, is presented through photographs and multimedia displays, while its rich biodiversity is showcased in the Natural History Collection.
In a supplementary question, Tan proposed training retirees, senior citizens and school students as museum guides to enrich the visitor experience.
Citing her visit to a museum in Chengdu, China, where a 10-year-old served as a guide explaining the exhibits, she said Penang could establish a similar platform to equip young people with historical knowledge and practical experience.
Wong said the Penang State Museum Board had approved the proposal at its meeting last week, with retirees to be trained as volunteers to guide visitors.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Siti Nuratikah Rahmat