The colonial period building of the Penang State Museum is located on Farquhar Street near the Conwallis Fort. The Fort was built in stages, with the first stage being constructed in 1896 and stage two being built in 1906.

Tourists who enter the Penang State Museum, are greeted by a bronze statue of the founder of the Penang Straits Settlement – Captain Francis Light. Famously known as the best state museum in Malaysia, it exhibits paintings by Captain Robert Smith and the engravings of William Daniell.

Other exhibits include a handwritten Quaran, a former Penang Hill railway carriage, old Malay weapons donated by Dato’ Haji Fathil Basheer. The museum is divided into galleries which are based on Penang’s historical communities and historical events as well. The museum also houses a collection of photographs, maps, historical documents, old Chinese furniture and other artifacts.

The building that stands as the Penang State Museum today was previously the Penang Free School. This building was destroyed by aerial bombings during the second World War. The museum is a reminiscent of the days during Francis Light.

Officially opened on April 14, 1965, that same year the art gallery was added to the museum. The museum which is between Jalan Masjid Kapitan Kling and Love Lane has exhibits which are considered as national treasures. The museum boasts an extensive collection of Baba Nyonya porcelain, jewellery and costumes as well which are unrivalled in historical values as well as beauty.

Tourists exploring the Penang State Museum would want to take a break at a Penang Hotel. One such place is the Copthorne Orchid Hotel Penang which is conveniently located right in front of the sea and at Tanjung Bunga. There are many attractions nearby which include the Penang Butterfly Farm, The Kek Lok Si Temple, the Snake Temple and lots more.

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