The History Museum is a recently (2013) opened Museum in George Town, Pulau Pinang. For me this year is a year marked for museums, so I am trying to visit as many as possible. So when in Pulau Pinang recently, this venue fits the bill!
The 'story' in this museum begins with early history before 1786 when Pulau Pinang was a territory owned by the Kedah Sultanate, and continues through till the present day.
There are many life size models of people that figure in the history and development of this state, making it all the more interesting to 'pose' alongside them.
It is interesting also to be able to see old artifacts in the many exhibits, also old photos of people and places long gone mostly.
Some exhibits bring back old memories of my childhood in the 50s. Like
'main tikam'. An early form of 'gambling', heheh!
The exhibits on the history of transport on the island of Pulau Pinang shows that vehicular traffic has been interesting. We did use to have trams or trolley buses on the streets back then. The Penang Hill funicular railway has also undergone many changes, but remains attractive for tourists. I remember the
beca to be known as 'kings of the road' back then. But not anymore. Though hopefully they will remain as tourist attraction.
Other than history, there are three other sections; one on 3D mural art, a 'fluorescent room' and a 3D inverted room. They all make for very interesting photo opportunities.
I will end this post with a quotation from Hegel, the gist of it being that we never learn anything from history.
Ces't la vie.
1 May 2015
