Time Tunnel (museum)
 Malaysia's first memorabilia museum. | |
| Established | January 2007 |
|---|---|
| Location |
UT/MR/F-255, Jalan Sungei Burung, 39100, Brinchang, Cameron Highlands, Pahang, Malaysia. 4°29′41″N 101°23′32″E / 4.49472°N 101.39222°E |
| Type | Collectibles and Memorabilia museum. |
| Collection size | 4,000+ objects showcased in eight galleries. Exhibition area: 14,000 sq ft (1,300 m2). Admission charges: RM4 (child); RM6 (adult). |
| Curator | See Kok Shan |
| Public transit access |
Bus: Tanah Rata bus station. Taxi: Tanah Rata bus/taxi station or Brinchang town taxi stand. |
| Nearest parking | On site (free parking on weekdays, weekends and public holidays). |
| Website |
www |
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. It is approximately 90 kilometres (56 mi) from Ipoh or about 200 kilometres (120 mi) from Kuala Lumpur.[1]
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.
'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.
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, woks, chili pounders, firewood, meat safes, charcoal stoves, meat grinders and tiffin carriers.
Photo Gallery
The museum is known for its assortment of old photographs. It has an inventory of more than 1,000 images. It includes photographs of:
- Lee Kuan Yew and Lee Hsien Loong when they visited the Cameron Highlands in 1954;
- P. Ramlee’s identification card;
- S.K. Convent (when it served as the British Military Hospital in the 1950s);
- Jim Thompson, the Thai silk king;
- 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 when it moved to Tanah Rata in 1947.
Gallery
 |
 |
 |
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 (Ms Edelweiss Cheung), 1st and 2nd runners-up (Ms Skye Chan and Ms Sia Ma) during their tour of Malaysia in August 2008. The trio was at the complex for more than an hour. Their goodwill tour was organised by Hong Kong’s Television Broadcasts Limited, Tourism Malaysia and Hong Thai Travel Services.
See also
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Time Tunnel Museum. |
References
Notes
- ↑ "Driving directions to Tanah Rata, Pahang, West Malaysia, Google map". Google Inc. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ "Driving directions to Tanah Rata, Pahang, Malaysia, Google map". Google Inc. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
- ↑ "Enter the time tunnel, The Star, Friday, 31 August 2012". p. L4.
News articles
- "Stepping back into time". New Straits Times. 23 February 2010. Retrieved 22 October 2010.
- "Enter the time tunnel". The Star. 31 August 2012. Retrieved 4 January 2013.
- "Up the highlands, window down". The Malay Mail. 31 August 2012. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
- "Cameron Highlands: Malaysia's enduring 'Little England'". CNN Travel. 27 June 2013. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
- "Beat the heat in Cameron Highlands". The Financial Express. 10 June 2014. Retrieved 25 June 2014.