GEORGE TOWN, Aug 26 — The Penang State Museum on Farquhar Street has recorded a surge of 47,638 visitors in just 29 days following its reopening last month, exceeding initial expectations.

State tourism and creative economy committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said that the museum exceeded its original target for the rest of the year within just 30 days. The high turnout follows a nine-year closure for extensive restoration works.

“Our original target was 30,000 visitors by December, but in one month we have already exceeded 47,000 visitors,” Wong said at a press conference at the museum today.

The museum’s peak attendance occurred on Aug 9, with 3,750 visitors in a single day. On average, the site attracts 1,000 visitors on weekdays and up to 4,000 on weekends. Wong expects a baseline of at least 1,500 visitors per month once paid admission is implemented.

The current surge is partly attributed to the free-entry period, which began upon the museum's reopening on July 24 and will end on Aug 31.

Starting Sept 1, admission fees will be introduced: RM5 for MyKad holders and RM3 for children (aged five to 12), senior citizens, and persons with disabilities.

Non-Malaysians will be charged RM20 for adults and RM10 for children, seniors, and persons with disabilities. Children under five enter for free.

As a gesture of celebration, free admission will return on Sept 15 and 16 to mark Malaysia Day and the anniversary of Penang Hill’s recognition as a Unesco Biosphere Reserve.

To modernise the visitor experience, the reopened museum now incorporates digital elements and augmented reality, specifically designed to engage school students and younger audiences.

Due to space constraints at the two-storey Farquhar Street building, the state will open a museum branch next month at 57 Macalister Road. This new site will house exhibits that could not fit into the main gallery.

The state museum building holds significant historical weight, having been constructed in 1816. It formerly housed the Penang Free School and Hutchings School before its conversion into a museum in 1964.

Visitors can still see the foundations of a section of the building that was bombed during World War II, which has been preserved as a showcase at the entrance.