Source: The Star

The Penang State Museum and Art Gallery will reopen its doors on Thursday, unveiling a refreshed visitor experience that combines the state’s rich heritage with modern digital technology following an extensive RM18 million restoration.

Closed since 2017 for conservation works, the museum now features interactive and artificial intelligence-powered elements designed to make history more engaging and accessible for visitors.

Museum director Haryany Mohamad said the revamped museum embraces changing visitor expectations by allowing photography throughout the galleries, encouraging guests to share their experiences on social media.

“Visitors today naturally want to document and share their experiences. We see this as a positive way to introduce the museum to a wider audience,” she said, noting that many of the technologies now being introduced were unavailable when the museum first closed.

Among the new features are augmented reality experiences, self-service kiosks, cashless payment systems and upgraded visitor amenities. Artefacts previously kept in storage have also been restored and placed on public display.

To enhance educational programmes, the museum now includes a dedicated multi-purpose hall that can accommodate 30 to 40 people for guided tours, lectures and school activities, reducing congestion within exhibition spaces.

Accessibility has also been significantly improved, with persons with disabilities now able to access the museum’s upper floors.

A highlight of the reopening is an on-site archaeological excavation within the museum compound, believed to be the only exhibit of its kind housed inside a museum building in Malaysia. Conducted in collaboration with Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Centre for Global Archaeological Research, the excavation reveals the original foundations of the historic school building that once occupied the site before parts were destroyed during World War II.

Built in 1896 and expanded in 1906, the building originally housed Penang Free School before later serving as Hutchings School. It was officially converted into the Penang State Museum in 1965 following a proposal supported by Malaysia’s first prime minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman.

The reopening ceremony will be officiated by Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Ramli Ngah Talib on Thursday evening, with the museum welcoming the public from Friday onwards.

ADVERTISEMENT