Old House Museum
Taiping

Old House Museum Taiping

Permanently Closed

Old House Museum is housed in a beautifully preserved shophouse located on Taiping’s Market Square.

The building was constructed around 1880 by a Taiping philanthropist and businessman called Mr. Lim Zi You. He ran an alcohol business and traded in charcoal stoves. His descendants diversified into property and have since migrated overseas. Rather than leave their shophouse unoccupied the family decided to convert it into a heritage museum and they entrusted this task to Mr. Tan Kok Siew who also owns an antique shop on Jalan Taming Sari called Kapitan Antiques House.

Mr. Tan has cleverly used the opportunity to display some of his sizeable stock of antiquities and the good thing about this museum is that visitors are able to purchase many of the items on display.

The museum has a narrow frontage but, typical of traditional shophouses, it extends a long way back and has interior courtyards and air wells and multiple rooms over three levels, all stuffed with interesting items.

Interior of Old House Museum

Among the treasures that can be found here I noted old bicycles, a gramophone player, antique furniture, old photos and pictures, lamps, a Gents of Leicester industrial clock, a planter’s chair, tiffin boxes, Chinese porcelain, an intricately carved Chinese bed, vintage metal toy cars, a Mills slot machine, a collection of radios and much, much more. If you like watching the TV programme ‘The Pickers’ you will love this place and much of it is available to buy.

Old House Museum Pickers' Paradise

Verdict

Part museum, part antique shop and part junk yard. I would definitely recommend visiting this museum if you are at all interested in Malaysian heritage.

Tiffin boxes and kitchenware at Old House Museum, Taiping

Opening Hours and Admission Charges

The Museum is open from 10am to 6pm, Mondays to Fridays and from 9.30am to 6pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Ticket Price

Mr. Tan charges an entrance price which I think is fair enough just to see the building itself. No doubt you could negotiate a refund if you purchase any items.

Adult RM 5

Kids RM 3. Free for kids below 6 years old.

Planters Chair for sale at Old House Museum, Taiping

How to Get To Old House Museum

Address:

Old House Museum, 2A, Market Square, 34000 Taiping, Perak Darul Ridzuan.

Tel : 019-551 3058 Mr. Tan Kok Siew (Kapitan)

The exact location is marked on the map on my Taiping Heritage Trail page.


Nearby

There is so much to see in Taiping. See my Taiping Heritage Trail for full details.

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