A brand new tourist attraction has opened in the heart of Georgetown.
A visit to the Penang History Museum will take visitors down memory lane in history.
Some RM3 million has been spent to make, decorate and install various structures to depict the early era of immigrants, British rule, places of interest in the yesteryear and many more.
On hand to grace the soft opening was State Exco for Tourism and Creative Economy YB Wong Hon Wai.
In attendance was Komtar assemblyman YB Teh Lai Heng, Penang Global Tourism chief executive officer Ooi Chok Yan, hotelier Dato Gulab Mahatam Rai and many more.
Also present was the people behind the project, Koe Poh Teik, Managing Director of Theme Reno Sdn Bhd, and his partner, Kevin Goh, Creative Director.
In his address Wong expressed his great honor to celebrate the soft launch of the Penang History Gallery—a significant step in preserving and sharing Penang’s rich history.
“This gallery is more than just a collection of artifacts. It reflects our identity, ensuring that the stories of our past continue to inspire future generations.Penang has always been a place of progress and innovation. Captain Francis Light arrived at Penang in 1786. This is earlier than Raffles’ arrival at Singapore in 1819 and the British arrival in Hong Kong in 1841, our island has been a land of many firsts:
• In 1904, Penang became the first place in Malaysia to have an electric streetlamp, symbolizing our commitment to modernization.
• In 1923, we built the Penang Hill Railway, Southeast Asia’s steepest funicular railway—an engineering marvel that continues to amaze visitors today.
However, beyond these technological achievements, Penang’s true greatness lies in its people. The artisans, traders, and visionaries have shaped our cultural landscape,” said Wong.
The museum also traces the hardworking tradesmen of Kimberley Street, the spiritual journey of Hajj pilgrims departing from our shores, the legendary talent of P. Ramlee, who introduced Penang’s culture to the world.
“These stories make Penang unique and define us as a diverse and resilient community. The Penang History Gallery is not just a place to view history—it is a place to experience it. The gallery is uniquely designed with mannequins created by the founders, who have collected stories of Penang from different eras and brought them to life in an impressive way. Some exhibits were even crafted using artificial intelligence, showcasing the perfect blend of tradition and modern innovation,” added Wong.
Among the highlights of the museum are images depicting a walk through the old streets of George Town, recreated with incredible detail, lifelike holograms that bring Penang’s pioneers to life and interacting with exhibits showcasing the daily lives of our ancestors.
Check out the museum the next time you are around Bishop Street.
