The entrance to the Brooke Dockyard Industrial Heritage Museum. – Photo by Roystein Emmor
KUCHING (April 21): Visitors from near and far shared personal memories and reflections after touring the Brooke Dockyard Industrial Heritage Museum, describing the experience as nostalgic and eye-opening.
The Borneo Post spoke to three visitors from different backgrounds and countries to gather their impressions of the newly opened museum.
For local retiree Tan Chew Bok, 67, the visit stirred memories of how much the area has changed over the decades.
Reflecting on the transformation over the past 60 years, he recalled how the dockyard surroundings were once lively with roadside stalls selling local delicacies during his childhood and youth.
Tan Chew Bok – Photo by Roystein Emmor
“Back then, there were many food stalls here and we used to take the bus to come around this area,” he said.
He also remembered Cathay Cinema, which once operated near the dockyard and was a popular entertainment venue during his younger days.
“Today I am curious about the transformation of this historic site so I decided to visit the museum on the first day of its opening to see how the once-industrial area had evolved into a heritage attraction,” he added.
Meanwhile, international visitor Sara Schmidt, 26, a recent graduate from Graz, Austria, described the museum as refreshing and unlike any other museum she had visited in Kuching.
“It’s very good and very different compared to other museums here. Industrial heritage is something that is not widely explored, so it’s interesting to finally see this type of heritage being highlighted,” she said.
Sara Schmidt from Austria. – Photo by Roystein Emmor
Visiting Kuching for the first time, Schmidt said she found the city’s history unique, particularly its connection to the era of the White Rajahs.
She added that visits to both the Brooke Dockyard Industrial Heritage Museum and the Borneo Cultures Museum gave her a deeper understanding of the relationship between indigenous cultures and Sarawak’s wider historical development.
“What makes Kuching special is how these different heritage landscapes interact with each other,” she said, adding that she would recommend Sarawak to her friends and encourage them to experience the variety of attractions available.
Another visitor, Sebastian Lim, 35, an educator and programme director from Lutong in Miri, said he was impressed from the moment he entered the museum.
“I first visited the gallery and I was very impressed with how this place once started to compete with places like Singapore. That’s really cool,” he said.
Sebastian Lim from Miri. – Photo by Roystein Emmor
He said the museum plays an important role in strengthening public appreciation of Sarawak’s industrial beginnings.
“It gives us a strong sense of belonging and helps us understand how we first started. I think it’s important for us to preserve and work on our industrial heritage.
“Everyone should come and visit this museum,” he said.
