Because of the rich history of Melaka State, there are many museums that have been established to educate visitors and tourists about its culture, heritage and legacy to Malaysia. Choose from museums that trace the Malacca Sultanate to maritime achievements and cultural groups such as the Baba Nyonya to social developments in the country. The Stadthuys building in Jalan Laksamana in the heart of historical Malacca Town also houses several museums inside.
Cultural Museum (Melaka Sultanate Palace)
The Cultural Museum is housed inside a replica of a Sultan's palace from the ancient history of Melaka, which is why it is also known as the Melaka Sultanate Palace. It was originally established in 1954 in a Dutch house before moving to the Stadthuys in 1982 and finally, its own complex in 1980. The museum is located within walking distance to the A'Famosa Fort, at the base of St Paul's Hill.
Today, the museum has over a thousand exhibits that detail and record the history of Malacca's Sultans, as well as their culture, heritage, Islamic religion and royal arts of the state. The building has several galleries and chambers which depict the various elements that make up the Sultanate such as; music and instruments, recreational sports, royal gifts, visits from emissaries, arts and crafts and dioramas depicting halls and rooms found in a traditional palace. Some of the antiques and items displayed in the museum include photographs, traditional costumes, weapons, ceramics, brassware, jewelry, instruments and stone inscriptions, of Arabic or local origin. Visitors and tourists will find the cultural museum a good place to discover the rich history of Malacca state from the rise and fall of its Sultans.
Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum
The Baba Nyonya are a special group of people descended from the first Chinese immigrants to Malacca in the 15th Century. These Chinese settlers intermarried with the local Malays and adopted their customs and traditions. The Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum in Jalan Tun Cheng Lock highlights their culture and legacy, through exhibits of antiques, heirlooms and costumes housed in a preserved traditional town house.
Maritime Museum
The Maritime Museum located in Jalan Quayside, is housed inside a replica of the Flor de la Mar, an ancient ship of Portuguese origin that sank in the seas off Malacca. The museum houses many authentic models of ancient ships that used to sail in the seas of Melaka during ancient times. Exhibits featuring antiques, maps, charts and other equipment used by sailors are on display, along with a diorama of a Portuguese captain's cabin. The museum provides visitors and tourists with a vivid lesson of Malacca's maritime history, tracing the different eras of Malacca's colonisation and conquest of its seas by the Portuguese, Dutch and British forces.
Malaysia Youth Museum
The Malaysia Youth Museum, located next to Christ Church, is an old colonial building that used to be the Dutch Administrative Complex. Later, it became the Angle-Chinese School and much later, the general post office of Malacca before it became a museum. The museum displays mostly documents and photographs that depict the work and events of the Malaysian Youth Council and other similar groups in the country. Exhibits include trophies, awards, handicrafts and items worn, made or used by various youth organisations in Malaysia, in the local and international field. Visitors and tourists can see what our youth used to be in the past and compare them to those today.
People's Museum
Also known as the Muzium Rakyat, the People's Museum is dedicated to the citizens of Malaysia, charting their history and culture from Independence Day till present. Inside are exhibits that relate to the social and economic development of Malaysia through its people in various fields, such as tourism, agriculture and industry. Of special note is the Museum of Enduring Beauty on the third floor, which takes a break from patriotic displays and instead showcases the concept of physical beauty as held by different cultures around the world, some very painful and disturbing to look at.
Chitty Museum
Similar to the Baba Nyonya, the Chitty are a group of people descended from the first Indian traders in Malacca that intermarried with locals and adopted some of the customs. However, they retain much of their Tamil features and customs, and are also known as Indian Peranakans. In this little museum in Gajah Berang, where a small Chitty community lies, visitors can discover their unique heritage through exhibits that include handicrafts, photographs, pots, lamps, trays, altars and other items related to their dying culture.
Proclamation of Independence Memorial
This museum is housed inside a British villa with Mogul domes. Built in 1921, it was originally called the Melaka Club, a place for the British colonial officers to lounge and chill out. After Independence Day, the club was turned into a museum celebrating Malaysia's national day, with exhibits displaying manuscripts, tapes, films and other items pertaining to the historical event. A 1957 Chevy used by the first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman is on display here.
