TeddyVille Museum

TeddyVille Museum, Penang (14 November 2017)


TeddyVille Museum (GPS: 5.47767, 100.26928) is a speciality toy museum in Penang. It is housed within the premises of DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Penang. The museum opened in 2016, initially only on the weekends, but as the hotel itself nears its opening date, TeddyVille Museum extends its opening hours to daily.

Easily the largest collection of Teddy Bears in Malaysia, TeddyVille Museum is both a celebration of the history of teddy bears as well as an introduction to Penang culture. It comprises two different galleries. Visitors entering the museum go through the first gallery, which gives an intro to the history of teddy bears, and of how the US President Theodore Roosevelt inspired the name. Roosevelt reelection to a second term in 1904 fueled the popularity of the soft toy. A prized exhibit in the gallery is the teddy bear made in 1907 by Bruin Manufacturing Co., and is today valued at RM13,500. Other teddy bears of various designs from parts of the world, and by different makers are also exhibited here.

Moving out of the first gallery, visitors enter the second gallery, which offers a teddy bear-themed take on Penang. It's like Penang has been overrun by teddy bears - no longer the museum is called TeddyVille, in this museum, it's a town of teddy bears! Beginning with the founding of the British settlement, visitors are introduced to the Baba Nyonya culture, Penang harbour, Penang food, Penang festivities, Penang Hill, Penang Bridge and all other things Penang, all featuring teddy bears. There are a lot of miniature dioramas of Penang scenes, as well as life-size teddy bears. I would say, anything you can think of that is Penang is teddy bear featured here - right down to Ghee Hiang biscuits, to my amusement.

The TeddyVille Museum may delight some children - and grown ups - while some might find it incredibly kitsch. It is actually much bigger than I have expected. Just when I thought we were done, there was still another section to see, and another, and another. And no museum would be complete without a gift shop, where one can shop for an adorable souvenir of this visit.

At TeddyVille Museum, we start with the history of teddy bears. (14 November 2017)


An exhibit of period bears. (14 November 2017)


Teddy bears retelling the founding of Penang Island. (14 November 2017)


Baba and Nyonya bears. (14 November 2017)


Bears at the George Town waterfront. (14 November 2017)


The bears at Balathandayuthapani Temple aka the Waterfall Temple. (14 November 2017)


The bears at Balathandayuthapani Temple aka the Waterfall Temple. (14 November 2017)


The bears at Kek Lok Si. (14 November 2017)


The bears at a Penang hawker centre. (14 November 2017)


The bears go to Batu Ferringhi. (14 November 2017)


The bears go up to Penang Hill. (14 November 2017)


They even participate in the Penang Bridge International Marathon. (14 November 2017)


And finally, there's the gift shop. (14 November 2017)


And there's more where that came from. I decided I won't show you every item in this museum, to avoid spoiling your discovery. So if you are into teddy bears and you like to know more about Penang through bear eyes, head on down to the TeddyVille Museum!

Address

TeddyVille Museum
55, Jalan Low Yat,
11100 Batu Ferringhi.
Phone: +60-16-550 5949

The TeddyVille Museum is open daily from 9:00am to 6:00pm. The entrance fees is RM36 per adult, RM29 per student (aged 13 to university) and RM25 per child aged 12 years and below.

List of Museums in Penang and Museums in Malaysia