MBKS Pictorial Gallery
Mini Museum in Kuching

photo of MBKS building with staff outside

The MBKS Pictorial Gallery and Resource Centre provides a fascinating pictorial and photographic history of Sarawak from the pre-Rajah period up until the modern day. Located on the ground floor of Kuching's distinctive MBKS building, there are well over a hundred photos on display together with old maps, record books and other items.

If you are interested in Kuching's history it is definitely worth a visit. Here are just a few highlights:

black and white photo of Astana in 1870

The Astana in 1870, the official residence of the Rajah. It was smaller and less well maintained than it is today.

old colonial hospital building

The hospital in 1882 at Tabuan Road. The site was later taken over by the state prison (since demolished). I guess this location was roughly facing the Borneo Hotel.

steam locomotive and carriages

The Sarawak Government Railway locomotive 'Bulan' at the terminus which used to stand opposite the Brooke Dockyard.

gathering of anti-cessionists

The anti-cessionists, '338 Movement' at Darul Kornia. They opposed moves to govern Sarawak as a British crown colony rather than continuing rule by the white Rajahs.

revenue stamps from the Vyner Brooke era

Stamp collectors will appreciate the museum's extensive postal history displays.

Sylvia Cinema building

One of Kuching's many cinemas during the day. The Sylvia was built in 1934 and named after the wife of Rajah Charles Vyner Brooke. The site is now occupied by Bangunan Yayasan Sarawak.

portraits of James Brooke, Charles Brooke and Vyner Brooke

The White Rajahs. From left to right: Sir James Brooke (who ruled from 1841-1868), Sir Charles Anthony Brooke (1868-1917) and Sir Charles Vyner Brooke (1917-1946 including 3 years and 8 months of Japanese Occupation).

Japanese general handing over samurai sword to Australian general

Surrender Ceremony on board HMAS Kapunda at Pending on 11 September 1945. Japanese Major-General Hiryoe Yamamura hands over his sword to Brigadier General Thomas Charles Eastick of the Australian 9th Division.

British seaplane floating on the Sarawak River

One of three seaplanes, the first ever to be seen in Kuching landing on the Sarawak River in front of the Main Bazaar in 1924.

tiny passenger bus

My favourite photo is of this Mosquito Bus which used to ply the route from Kuching to Matang with up to 8 passengers.

memorial clock tower on quiet street

Panungan Street in quieter times. It must have been such a pleasure to drive and park where you liked on those empty streets. People still park where they like on this street even if they are illegally double-parked!

vehicles in Kuching were mostly British in those days like these three taxis

A view of Kuching Waterfront with Mount Serapi in the background. What is now the Chinese Heritage Museum can be seen on the left,

this modern 1950s building stood in a prime location on the watefront

The Borneo Company building in 1956. The Kuching Hilton now stands on this site.

spectators watching a horse race

The area where MBKS is located used to be part of the race course of the Sarawak Turf Club (since relocated), pictured here on race day in 1890.

mock up of a street scene with a rickshaw

It's not all photos. There are some dioramas, models and physical artefacts such as the original handwritten Council minutes book for the period 1922-1928 and the Bicycle Registration Record Book from the days when you needed a licence to own a bicycle or tricycle.

Opening Hours & Admission Charges

  • Tuesday to Friday 9:30am to 6pm.
  • Monday & Saturday 10:30am to 4pm.
  • Closed on Sundays.

Free admission.

How To Get to MBKS Pictorial Gallery

The location of the museum can be found on this map:

Address

MBKS Pictorial Gallery
Majlis Bandaraya Kuching Selatan, Jln Padungan, 93675 Kuching, Sarawak

Nearby Attractions

While you are here you could take a look around the MBKS Park which surrounds the building.

Also nearby:

  • St. Peter's Church
  • Padungan Street & Cat Statue

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AUTHOR BIO

cartoon of author with an orangutan

David (the one on the left) is the writer behind Malaysia Traveller, sharing firsthand travel advice from over five decades of living and travelling across Asia and the Middle East. Based in Malaysia since 2009 and now in Kuching, he has published 700+ pages, personally visited every place he covers, and uses only his own photos. Readers can learn more on his About Me page. He also shares updates on Facebook and YouTube. He loves uncovering overlooked places even many Malaysians have never visited.