Sitiawan Settlement Museum

This Settlement Museum was first constructed in 1935 as the house for the Pioneer Methodist Church pastors. It was converted into a museum in 2003.

This is the Pioneer Methodist Church, built in 1903. Burnt down thereafter. This building was rebuilt in 1927.

 

This is the office for the museum, located right behind the museum. Just pop in and pay RM5, and you are free to roam around.

This well is to commemorate the first well in Kampung Koh; that had supplied drinking water to over 2000 early settlers until 1960s. 

I did not even realize that I was walking on it when I walked from the office across to the museum!!!

The Origin of a Parsonage - "Muk Su Lao". This building was built not long after the first missionary came to Kampung Koh. Thereafter a church was built next to this house. This area became the hub of Kampung Koh in the olden days. 'Muk Su Lao' became a one-stop centre; for the people to pray, to get water, to settle problems, and for a gathering of any sorts.

Kitchen

The rubber tapping era

Old tools

In the olden days, there was a water transportation team to deliver water to your house. The fees would depend on the distance and it was usually 10 to 20 cents per kerosene tin (photo above). The transporters back then were usually Fuzhou women to earn more income for their families. The women could easily do 20-30 trips a day. The transportation of water only stopped in 1961 when water pipes were connected to Kampung Koh.

The rubber industry became the main source of income for the Fuzhou people as it helped them to settle down in Sitiawan and eventually have their own land.

In 1903, 2 pastors were sent by the Methodist Episcopal Mission to Fuzhou, China to recruit villagers to start an agricultural settlement in Malaya. It was somewhat like a 'population transplant' whereby these villagers would be brought over to Malaya to stay permanently. This plan was fully financed by the Colonial Administration in Malaya.

484 boarded the ship at Fuzhou, only 363 landed in Sitiawan.

In 1905, only 306 were left with the Mission. 

That was how Sitiawan began. Initially intended to be a rice growing area but successfully became an important rubber producing centre in Malaya.

(Shih, 2004)

The map shows the route of the migration from China to Malaya. 

Took them about a month to arrive in Malaya by boat.

Lifestyle of the early settlers

Classroom

Medicines

Old newspapers

Chinese shoes for bound feet

Antique glass baby feeding bottle. Also known as the Banana Bottle. Believed to have appeared since the late 1800s.

Antique Opium Pipe

Cuspidors or Spittoons

In olden days China, they are used for spitting.

The Christian souvenir shop

History of the Pioneer Methodist Church 

Priests' chairs

Vintage typewriter keys

Missionaries and Chinese Clergy

Christianity Development Chronology

Vintage camera

On the rooftop of the museum enjoying the view, sun and breeze. Took some photos of the Methodist Church next door and a huge cemetery behind the church.

We were experiencing information overload!!!

We needed the sun and breeze to breathe and cool down....LOL

This museum is AMAZING! It represents a proud legacy and heritage in the development of Sitiawan. The story began with the origins of the Fuzhou people and their lifestyle in Malaya. There is a vast antique collection on display. Another part of the museum showcased the Churches and their roles in Malaya. The chronologies of Christianity in Malaysia was really REALLY done so meticulously. 

WOWWW!