Malacca Museum of History and Ethnography

The Museum of History and Ethnography is located at the Stadhuys. Entrance fee is RM 5 for adult which also entitle the ticket holder entry to other museums within the St. Paul's Hill area.

 

 The historical section of the museum is devoted to the history of Malacca from its establishment until it gained independence. The Ethnography section showcase the lifestyle and culture of the various communities and sub communities that make up the multi racial society of Malacca.

 

The space in this room is a real location of the Dutch Governor administration office in Malacca.

This dining table was made in Malacca according to Dutch designs. It can be extended whenever required.

The ceiling manual fan was adopted in Asia including in the Dutch Governor's office. A cord attached to the pulley of the rectangular fan enabled it to move sideways creating air movements. A man would be stationed in the next room to pull the cord.

The early Dutch ceramics were not really high quality and were produced only for domestic consumption. The arrival of the Dutch in Southeast Asia and their relations with China enabled them to improve their ceramic industry and eventually produce porcelain of high quality. Dutch porcelain carried the letters VOC, which was the insignia of the Dutch East India Company. These porcelains were brought to Malacca via Batavia (now Jakarta). The colourful Dutch porcelain wares found in Holland had mostly been meant for the Southeast Asian market.

 

 

Other ceramics and porcelains on display at the museum.

The Dutch Pipe which was donated by His Excellency Ambassador during their visit here in 2004.

 

Emblem of Dutch Company V.O.C, made of coral stone.

Since the beginning of Malay civilization, a stall like this has already existed around Malay villages around Malacca. Normally, the farmers and fishermen were among the regular customers who always stopped by to take a rest while enjoying eating and drinking after a tiring day at work.

Kopitiam was once a medium for the early Chinese immigrant workers to meet for a good cup of coffee, to relax after a tiring day at work.

It is said that Indian immigrant from Ramnadis in Tamilnadu, South India started the Indian used book store during the depression years of the late 20s and early 30s. They had a good supply of used school textbooks as in those days school textbooks do not change as often. Their target customers were the students who could not afford to buy new school books.

There is a Dutch bakery within the Stadhuys building itself. In the bakery, workers toast the bread to serve the Governor, officer and other staffs who worked in the building.

 

 

 

 

This miniature depicts the change in landscape of the St. Paul's Hill during the Portuguese, Dutch and British administration. Almost all the Portuguese/Dutch fortress that surrounded the hill was blasted by the British.