The Stadthuys — Attraction in Malacca

As a historian, it pains me to criticize a museum, but I left feeling I’d wasted my time and money. As an overall point, being a UNESCO designated city implies certain expectations, including a level of quality. This museum is like something from the 1950s and desperately needs a major overhaul.

The layout and organization of the exhibits is confusing, and when I asked staff which way to continue, I was sent into a completely different section. There’s no hard copy guide, so knowledgeable staff would be helpful. The info presented is often repetitive, but randomly. I followed the few signs that said exit - which takes you out the back where you can walk down to the cafe - but that route was blocked off for an event, so I had to go back up and through the museum. All of this is confusing and distracts from the content.

To make things worse, I stopped on my way out to read the info on preservation of the structure as I work in that at home. Immediately, four staff members behind me started yelling loudly at each other, so loud I could not read! I turned around and looked at them, yet instead of acknowledging they were disturbing the paying visitors, another staff member joined the argument and they screamed louder. This behavior was unprofessional and unacceptable.

Judging by the reviews of this museum and others, the powers that be in Melaka seem to value quantity over quality. The goal seems to be advertising many museums (and Instagram spots), not the quality of the museums. Least I sound harsh, I’ve also just visited museums/house museums in George Town and KL, and left positive reviews for all. AND went right around the corner to the Malaysian Architectural Museum, which is excellent. This museum really has to move into the 21st century… and better train...

The Stadthuys are located within the walls of Melaka fort and lie opposite the north entrance to the fortified town, across the river. The fort itself covers a large area around the hill St. Paul, who houses the offices and warehouses of the VOC and all the facilities needed by the colony. The fort wall no longer existed today thanks to the malicious British vicious and vandalism directed destruction while protecting Dutch possessions in Asia from France, during the Napoleonic Wars. The Stadthuys is a massive complex. The interior of the building has two floors and it is 30 meters wide. In addition to being governor's house, Stadthuys also includes a Child-Secretary-General, a prayer room, a dining room, a guest house, slavery house, House of Merchants, prisons, trade offices, warehouses, courtyards and bakeries separately or separately. The spacious record room at Stadthuys is perfectly suited for the preservation of official documents, though the tropical climate is often a source of rapid decline in paper. With large thick wall meters, high ceilings and large floor tiles, it provides a cool interior atmosphere and seems to have a dry-cell effect. The building now houses the Museum of History and Ethnography, Admiral Cheng Ho Gallery, Literary Museum, Museum of the Democratic Government, and State-of-the-art Museum. Daily museum displays are traditional wedding dresses and artifacts from...

Was limiting my expectations of this place given the stature of all museums in Malaysia. However, was exceptionally surprised. Ticket s are priced at RM10 for adults and RM5 for kids. Price is doubled for foreigners i.e. those that do not have a MyKad/MyKid. The tickets covers visits to a few museums in the vicinity e.g. Education museum, literature museum, the Governor's residence museum and a few others.

After visiting, this is a must visit location for those who have not been here. I have visited many years ago but it has progressed significantly since then. Spent a total of 3 hours browsing thru the various exhibits. Was intrigued by the Admiral Cheng Ho coverage which was rather detailed and informative. There are QR codes for each of the displays that leads one to a pdf document providing more details.

Take a walk after the museums to the St Paul's church ruins and the Danish cemetry. This place is a lot cleaner now compared to the last time I was there.

All in, it provides a very educational and informative adventure for kids and adults alike.

Knocking off 1 star from the rating given the way some of the artifects are displayed. The display casings are not air tight. With the humidity levels of Malaysian weather, I am a bit concerned if it is done right especially the books and transcripts. Hope PERZIM ensures that all the care is accorded to maintain the artifacts for many more...