Penang State Museum and Art Gallery, George Town

Penang State Museum and Art Gallery, George Town

Established during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Penang's state-run museum is housed within a Colonial-style building that once served as the premises for the Penang Free School, the first English language public school in the East, dating back to the 1810s. The museum offers a comprehensive exploration of the island's rich history, customs, and traditions, showcasing a diverse array of quality exhibits (including mock-ups of traditional houses) representing its various ethnic groups.

Visitors can immerse themselves in the island's cultural tapestry through an extensive collection of artifacts, including photographs, videos, documents, costumes, furniture, porcelains, and other nicely labeled displays. The museum's upper floor hosts the history gallery, which offers a glimpse into the past with early 19th-century watercolors by Captain Robert Smith, an engineer with the East India Company, and prints depicting landscapes of old Penang – a captivating journey through time.

Tip:
Prior to your visit, please verify if the museum is open to the public.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in George Town. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Penang State Museum and Art Gallery on Map

Sight Name: Penang State Museum and Art Gallery
Sight Location: George Town, Malaysia (See walking tours in George Town)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in George Town, Malaysia

Create Your Own Walk in George Town

Create Your Own Walk in George Town

Creating your own self-guided walk in George Town is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
George Town's Historical Religious Buildings

George Town's Historical Religious Buildings

George Town, Malaysia, has much to be proud of when it comes to religious heritage. The city boasts a plethora of wonderful churches, temples, mosques, and other religious sites – each beautifully decorated and with its own unique story. Follow us on this self-guided walk and see some of them up close.

We start at the Acheen Street Mosque. Dating back to the early 19th century, this is one of...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
Farquhar Street Walking Tour

Farquhar Street Walking Tour

Farquhar Street, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2008, is a culturally rich thoroughfare in George Town, Malaysia, and home to many interesting historic properties. Let's take a brief journey down this storied street and see what they are.

At the outset of Farquhar stands the impressive Supreme Court building, a symbol of justice and governance in Penang. Just a stone's throw away,...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
George Town Introduction Walking Tour

George Town Introduction Walking Tour

Some felt in Malaya that the city of George Town should be renamed Tanjung Penaga ("Cape Penaga"). That was the name of the area where George Town now stands. But the Chinese, British, Muslim, Malay and Indian movers and shakers of the town wisely declined. It might be bad for business.

Captain Francis Light, R. N., came to Tanjung Penaga in 1786. He wanted to set up an entrepôt for...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles