It's Merdeka season and while the country celebrates, this is the perfect time to brush up on some history and really understand the sacrifices made by past heroes.

Yes, you can probably read a book or two to learn of their stories but why not visit a museum instead?

If you're living in Selangor (or somewhere close by), here are 5 museums that you can visit and get that semangat Merdeka going.

#1 JUGRA INSITU MUSEUM

Steeped in history.

This museum not only contains historical information but is a part of history too!

It is located within the ruins of a district Police Station which was built in 1878 by British officer, Captain Harry Charles Syers.

Not only that, the building was also used as a centre of Government and administration of the Selangor Sultanate.

There is no entry fee to this museum (yeay) but pictures are not allowed inside.

Visiting times:

9.30am to 5.30pm (Saturday to Thursday)
9.30am to 12pm / 2.45pm to 5.30pm (Friday)

For more information, email: [email protected]

#2 ROYAL GALLERY SULTAN ABDUL AZIZ
A royal affair.

Located in Klang, Selangor, this Royal Gallery is focussed on the former Sultan of Selangor Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah.

The building was built in 1909 and was used by the British Government as the Land Office and Administration Office of British Malaya.

In addition, the building was also used as the headquarters of the Japanese during the Japanese occupation in Malaya! Imagine all the plotting and planning that happened there!

Anyways, it was finally converted into a Memorial Museum by Sultan Sharafuddin in 2007.

There is also no entry fee to this museum (yeay again!).

Visiting times:
10am to 5pm (Tuesday to Sunday)
Closed on Mondays and public holidays.

For more information, call 03-3373 6500.


#3 KUALA SELANGOR MUSEUM

Woah!

The Kuala Selangor Museum is home to a collection of Selangor's historical artefacts such as tombstones, weapons, spears, cannons and others which were used during the war from the beginning of the Sultanate of Selangor by Sultan Salehuddin (Raja Lumu) in 1766.

Learn about the civil war in Selangor and also the battles fought with the Dutch and British here.

The local battles involved Sultan Abdul Samad, Raja Mahmud, Raja Abdullah from Kuala Lumpur, Raja Sulaiman (ruler of Klang), Tengku Kudin, and Raja Mahadi.

With so many vying for power, learn about the drama, the political games and the battle to be numero uno in the state.

Another draw to visiting this museum is that it is located close to the Altingsburd Lighthouse.

Two birds, one stone!

Visiting times:
Daily (9.30am to 5.30pm)

For more information, email www.padat.gov.my.


#4 KAJANG HERITAGE CENTRE

Full of interesting facts.

Did you know that Kajang grew into a city due to tin mining and rubber cultivation?

Learn more about the mining activities in the 50s and 60s and other interesting information including how immigrants from Sumatra were the pioneers in opening up forest land in Kajang at this centre.

It is quite small so the perfect plan would be to roam around the centre and then head over to have some yummy Kajang satay!

Visiting times:
Weekends (10am to 5pm)

For more information, email [email protected].


#5 SULTAN ALAM SHAH MUSEUM

Such a pretty building.

This museum is extremely unique because of its Minangkabau architecture and design.

Established in 1974, the museum was named after Sultan Hisamuddin Alam Shah, the 7th Sultan of Selangor.

The museum features prehistoric artefacts of early human settlements and drum fragments from the Bronze Age (Dong Son) since 600 BC. Cool!

It also has exhibits presenting the history of Selangor from the time of the Portuguese, Bugis, Dutch, Melaka and Johor Sultanate until the time when we gained independence.

This museum also has no entry fee (yeay, yeay, yeay!).

Visiting times:
9.30am to 5.30pm (Tuesday to Sunday)

For more information, email [email protected].

History awaits

So, what are you waiting for? Grab some friends and go on a historical adventure.

If you manage to finish all five museums, let us know in the comments and tell us which is your favourite.