One East Museum

One East Museum, George Town, Penang (18 May 2013)


One East Museum (GPS: 5.413438, 100.319234) is a private museum in George Town, Penang. The museum showcases artifacts that managed to be saved from the Chinese Cultural Revolution of 1966 to 1976, a period when the Communist Party attempted to systematically makeover Chinese culture by eradicating elements that it considered "bourgeoisie". It is housed in an opulent double-storey bungalow that was built on Dunlop Road in 1928 by architect Lim Soo Loon.

According to Lim Soo Loon's great granddaughter, Lim came from China during his teens and started his architecture practice under the training of the British. The building served as both his home and office. Among the buildings he designed included the bungalow opposite Island Hospital and a Chinese school on Muntri Street.

One East Museum has an impressive collection of porcelain, such as its famille rose figurines created before the Cultural Revolution. They offer a glimpse into the decadent lifestyle of rich Chinese. Also exhibited are items Straits Chinese origin, such as Nyonyaware and furniture.

Update on One East Museum

23 December, 2013: The museum has been closed for many months, and when I checked today, am informed that it is still closed "for renovation".

Contact

One East Museum
7 Dunlop Road
10400 George Town, Penang
Phone: +60 4 228 2390
Website: chtnetwork.com/oneeast/

Getting there

From the bus stop along Dato Kramat Road, walk to Dunlop Road. Go along the road until you arrive at the museum on your left. It is directly across from Merican Road.

One East Museum is on the map of Dunlop Road

List of Museums in Penang and Museums in Malaysia