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2.2.4PENANG MUSEUM & ART GALLERY2.2.4.1HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

The Penang Museum building was constructed for the Penang Free School. The schoolwas founded on 21

October, 1816 marking the 30

anniversary of Light’s death. It wasproposed and tirelessly promoted by Rev Hutchings on the same site, which is the presentbuilding was constructed between 1896 is the half near to George’s Church and the other half in1906. The schoolhouse was designed as a symmetrical building and erected in two stages. ThePenang Free School moved out to Green Lane in 1927 after which the Hutchings School movedinto the premises. The eastern half of the building was bombed during World War II and theMuseum, occupies the remaining half.Penang museum & art gallery officially opened to public on 14 April 1965 after undergone several renovation which includes re – paintings and re – arrangement of themuseum historical collection. In the same year, the art gallery was added to the Museum.Penang State Museum located at Farquhar Street (Lebuh Farquhar). The museum displays thesocial history of Penang’s communities, including their traditional trades, dress and customs. Italso features historic events such as Penang Riots of 1867 and the Japanese Occupation.The Penang Museum boasts many historical artefacts that are state treasures give muchinsight into the lives of the multi ethnic community in Penang. Amongst these are eight of theten original oil paintings executed by Captain Robert Smith (the remaining two being in a privatecollection). Other artifacts of note include extensive collections of Baba Nyonya porcelain,Chinese furnishings, jewellery and costumes, hand – written Al – Quran, old Malay weaponsthat are unsurpassed in their artistic beauty and historical value. From far, with the museumpainted "all white", one might just mistaken the museum for high courts or any governmentbuilding.The Penang State Government proposed setting up a state museum in 1962 which waswell accepted by the then prime minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman. He mooted the idea of usingthe Hutching School building, as it is now occupying the original Penang Free School, whereTunku had been a pupil. Some of the museum collections feature Penang historical evolutions

since its founding by the British in 1786 until the early 20th century. This includes old paintings,art gallery, old photograph, maps, charts, old documents, embroidery, Malay wedding costumesand priceless historical relics. At the museum courtyard you will be able to see the originalPenang Hills funicular railway carriage, anchor from the French destroyer "Mosquet", cannonand the billboard of Penang founder; Captain Francis Light.The fully air – conditioned museum (a nice escape for the hot and humid weather) isseparated into 2 levels. The ground floor offers historical insight of the lives of the three major communities which is Malay, Chinese and the Indians. As one of the first city that started fromsea trade, Penang has brought myriads of multi – racial communities coexisting side by side – Adistinctly different culture yet uniquely Malaysian. Over the years, these races came to dominatePenang colourful and multi – ethnic society. It provides spectacular milestones that marksignificance in the lives of Penang sites of year to year.The museum first floor provides visitor with the history of Penang starting from itsfounding as a British settlement in 1786 by Captain Francis Light until the early 20th century.The colourful history of Penang is unveiled through series of photographic panels, someexhibition site, audio-video presentation as well as numerous paintings by two English artists;William Daniels and Captain Robert Smith. Refer to the floor map below for more info.

Figure 2.31 : Floor plan (GF) inside the Penang Museum

Source : www.penang – vacations.com (2008)

Figure 2.32 : Floor plan (1

floor) inside the Penang Museum

Source : www.penang – vacations.com (2008)

It is without doubt that the historical society in Penang has put together amarvellous collection of ethnological and historical findings from Penang, tracing theport history and diverse cultures through time. This important finding was presented to thevisitor in this museum with fascinating facts and trivia. For most time might one day wash away

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Category:	Research > Arts & Architecture
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Upload Date:	06/22/2009
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Tags:	building survey penang building survey penang (fewer)

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