The Penang State Museum and Art Gallery is the official state museum, occupying a fine colonial-era building (the old Penang Free School) on Farquhar Street. The collection traces the island's history from its 18th-century British founding through its diverse communities and 20th-century transition, with displays on Malay, Chinese, Indian and Eurasian customs, weddings, ceremonies and crafts.
It is not the most modernised museum — the labels are dated and the lighting could be better — but the strength is in the objects: ceremonial costumes, weapons, photographs from the early colonial period, traditional musical instruments, model boats and a small numismatic collection. The upper-floor art gallery hosts rotating exhibitions of local artists. Useful as a single-stop overview before tackling the rest of Georgetown's heritage on foot. Allow an hour and a half. Closed on Fridays in some years; check before going.