Monday 20 May 2013

EXHIBITION AT TIN CITY: A TIN MINING FAMILY


Last Sunday Lai Yoong and I went to view an exhibition titled "A Tin Mining Family" at Tin City in Falim. This exhibition was open to the public from 12th May, 2013 for a duration of 3months.  The exhibition covers one wing of the Falim House along Jalan Lahat.   The exhibits are on some prominent tin mining families in Ipoh.  




















Here is an article about this exhibition taken from the Sun newspaper.

Ipoh’s Tin Mining Towkays

A Dynamic Exhibition presenting the towkays – gentlemen, entrepreneurs, businessmen and philanthropists

Ipoh World Sdn Bhd has assembled a forthcoming new exhibition, “A Tin Mining Family”, which will open at Falim House, Falim, Ipoh on Sunday, May 12 and run for three full months, ending on Monday, August 12.

The exhibition showcases the life and times of Ipoh’s many families of tin mining towkays – the entrepreneurs – how they and their households lived, their cars, their servants, their very successful tin mines and other business ventures. Not forgotten are the clan associations, hospitals and schools these philanthropists founded locally.

On the other side of the coin, the four evils that faced the mining coolies – Opium, Gambling, Prostitution and the Triads – are included as an integral part of the mining story.

There are also special sections on Falim House, the hawkers who called there and soft drinks manufacturer F&N who has been part of Ipoh and Falim for more than 100 years. And for those who wish to rest their legs, a rare and vintage film featuring tin mining in the Kinta Valley, both pre and post-war, will run continuously.

With more than 210 old photographs, some dating from before 1900 and a very wide range of artifacts, this is a chance for visitors to get close to real mining equipment, rare toys, unusual kitchen equipment, original local wheeled vehicles and more, much of which will bring back memories long forgotten while at the same time provide important education for young people. Photo opportunities will be many.

Sponsored by Amber Synergy Sdn Bhd and produced by the ipohWorld team (www.ipohworld.org), the exhibition is led by Commander Ian Anderson, a retired British naval officer who is married to an Ipoh girl and lives permanently in Ipoh. Ian is well known for his enthusiasm for local heritage and history and has produced an exhibition unlike any other and one that should not be missed. The collections on show are all from ipohworld, a project sponsored entirely by Tenby Schools Ipoh, with some items dating back to well before 1900.

“The Exhibition would not be possible were it not for Tenby Schools for seeing our vision and supporting it since 2006. We are also indebted to Amber Synergy Sdn Bhd which has generously covered the entire costs of this exhibition,” said Ian.

He continued, “In the medium-term, ipohWorld hopes to promote a keen and sustained interest in the history and heritage of Ipoh through a permanent Heritage Centre which will enhance visitors enjoyment with additional, ever-changing and interesting exhibitions each year. We’re optimistic that such a centre would attract more tourists to Ipoh in line with the Perak State Government’s plans.”

On behalf of Amber Synergy Sdn Bhd, the sponsors, Dato’ Poo Tak Kiau said that they were delighted to be able to help ipohworld stage the exhibition which he was sure would be of great interest to local residents and tourists alike.

“What’s more”, he added, “the exhibition will be a wonderful educational tool for schools and colleges. I hope that they’ll take advantage of it to introduce their students to important local history that is generally glossed over or forgotten.”

When asked for more details on the Exhibition, Ian said, “Trust me, it’ll be a wonderful experience. But you’ll have to wait until May 12 when the Exhibition opens to the world”.

Opening hours are from 10am to 6pm daily and entrance is free.

Source: http://ipohecho.com.my/v2/2013/04/16/ipohs-tin-mining-towkays/

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