Time Tunnel (museum)

The Time Tunnel is Malaysia's first memorabilia museum. Located in Brinchang, it is recognised as one of the main attractions of the Cameron Highlands.[1] It is approximately 90 kilometres (56 mi) from Ipoh or about 200 kilometres (120 mi) from Kuala Lumpur

Time Tunnel (museum)
Malaysia's first memorabilia museum.
EstablishedJanuary 2007
LocationUT/MR/F-255, Jalan Sungei Burung, 39100, Brinchang, Cameron Highlands, Pahang, Malaysia. 4°29′41″N 101°23′32″E
TypeCollectibles and Memorabilia museum.
Collection size4,000+ objects showcased in eight galleries. Exhibition area: 14,000 sq ft (1,300 m2). Admission charges: RM4 (child); RM6 (adult).
CuratorSee Kok Shan
Public transit accessBus: Tanah Rata bus station.
Taxi: Tanah Rata bus/taxi station or
Brinchang town taxi stand.
Nearest parkingOn site.
Websitewww.timetunnel.cameronhighlands.com

The complex is unlike any other in Peninsular Malaysia — it is filled with collectibles and memorabilia that serve as a reminder of what life was like in Malaysia during the pre-War years.[2]

The museum was established in January 2007. Since then, it has continued to grow at a measured pace. Situated at the basement of Kok Lim Strawberry Farm, the split-level unit occupies a passageway that stretches for more than 80 meters. There are more than 4,000 objects and photographs on display here. They are showcased in eight galleries covering an area of approximately 14,000 square feet.

The museum can be reached via public or private transport. It is less than two kilometres from Brinchang town or about seven kilometres from Tanah Rata.[3] It is open daily from 9 am to 6 pm. There are no restrictions to photography at this place.

Collection highlights

Aborigine Section

This area captures the lifestyle of the resort's natives (Orang Asli). Their tools, traps and handicrafts are exhibited on the floor and on the walls.

Location map of TIME TUNNEL museum.

'Barber Shop'

The 'barber shop' is equipped with mirrors, straight razors, scissors, hair sprays, shavers, hair dryers, clippers, curlers and a broad range of combs. The walls are plastered with posters that were once used to promote barbering. The showpiece of this "shop" is the barber chair. It is more than 50 years old.

Children’s Corner

This space is filled with blackboards, school uniforms, furniture, counting aids and a variety of toys. Nearby is a cabinet that displays memorabilia like fountain pens, erasers, pencil sharpeners, rulers, textbooks and school badges.

‘Coffee Shop’

Resembling an old eatery (’kopi tiam’), this setup comes complete with a cashier's counter, stools, tables, mirrors, ashtrays, matchboxes, chopsticks, spittoons, coffee cups and a collection of soft drinks. The drinks here are not for sale.

The museum is filled with memorabilia that serve as a reminder of what life was like in Malaysia during the pre-War years.

Collectibles & Memorabilia

The list of collectibles and memorabilia is endless. There are more than 4,000 objects on display. They range from gramophones to jewellery pieces.

Jim Thompson Corner

The niche is tucked at the midpoint of the museum. It covers an area of approximately 50 square feet. Most of the items on exhibit are a reminiscence of Jim Thompson who disappeared from the Cameron Highlands on Sunday, 26 March 1967.

Kitchen Area

Located along the ledge of the unit's second level is the kitchen area. This is a place where time virtually comes to a stand still.[4] Here you will find an oddball mix of kerosene stoves, frying pans, crockery items, woks, chili pounders, firewood, meat safes, charcoal stoves, meat grinders and tiffin carriers.

The museum is known for its assortment of old photographs. It has an inventory of more than 1,000 images. It includes photographs of:

Brinchang, Cameron Highlands (c. 1950s)
  • All Soul’s Church (undated);
  • Ye Olde Smokehouse Inn (1950s);
  • "Moonlight" bungalow (undated);
  • "Sunlight" bungalow (undated);
  • the bridge over the Sultan Abu Bakar dam (1960s);
  • the Government Rest House at Tanah Rata (1950s);
  • the 2nd hole of the Cameron Highlands Golf Course (1930s);
  • Brinchang (1950s);
  • Tanah Rata (1940s);
  • Cluny Lodge (1960s);
  • Father's House (1950s);
  • Lutheran Mission bungalow (undated);
  • Tanah Rata post office (1950s);
  • the Cameron Highlands Home Guard (1950s); and
  • the then Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) when it moved to Tanah Rata in 1947.
The Photo Section
The 'Coffee Shop'
Memorabilia
The Children's Section
Collectibles
The Jim Thompson Corner

Facilities

The museum has a cafe that serves western and local delights. It is open daily from 9 am to 6 pm.

Milestones

The museum was visited by Miss Hong Kong 2008 (Ms Edelweiss Cheung), 1st and 2nd runners-up (Ms Skye Chan and Ms Sia Ma) during their tour of Malaysia in August 2008. Their visitation was organised by Hong Kong's Television Broadcasts Limited, Tourism Malaysia and Hong Thai Travel Services.

In June 2018, the museum opened a second space on Jalan Panglima in Ipoh old town [5] to boost its brand name in Malaysia. Known as the Time Tunnel Ipoh Old Town museum, the new setup focuses on old advertisements and vintage items.[6] The outfit has attracted scores of visitors every day and even welcomed Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia HE Andrew Goledzinowski in July 2018.[7]

gollark: No.
gollark: As previously stated, no and I don't want to.
gollark: I agree.
gollark: I also disagree with the people saying they should teach stuff like doing taxes; there are entirely too many random "life skills" and they change lots. They should probably teach stuff like the ability to look this up on the internet on demand, and to usefully work from this information, rather than specific things.
gollark: How DARE I not have done some particular hobby you like. I will fetch my time machine and immediately rectify this.

See also

References

Notes
  1. "Cameron Highlands, Malaysia Google map". Google Inc. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  2. De Souza, Edward Roy (2010). SOLVED! The "Mysterious" Disappearance of Jim Thompson, the Legendary Thai Silk King (2nd ed). Word Association Publishers. p. 134. ISBN 978-1-59571-505-0. LCCN 2009944204.
  3. "Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands, Google map". Google Inc. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  4. "Enter the time tunnel, The Star, Friday, 31 August 2012". p. L4.
  5. "Time Tunnel Ipoh Old Town museum, Google map". Google Inc. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
  6. "See's labour of love over time". The Malay Mail. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
  7. "See's labour of love over time". The Malay Mail. Retrieved 15 September 2018.

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