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Rumah Penghulu Abu Seman
This Rumah Penghulu used to be a local headman's house restored
at Jalan Stonor in Kuala Lumpur. It was originally located in Kampung
Sungai Kechil, a small village in Mukim Bagan Samak, Bandar Baharu,
Kedah.
The heritage centre of the Badan Warisan Malaysia (Heritage of
Malaysia Trust) is located in a mock Tudor building dating from
1925.
 
In the garden is a bamboo hut built by Orang Asli of the Temiar
community and a restored Malay timber house known as the Rumah Penghulu.
It is beautifully decorated throughout with intricate carvings and
has been furnished to reflect a house in the early thirties with
some wedding accoutrements.
From the mid 1920s to the early 1930s, Penghulu Abu Seman bin
Nayan completed the ensemble of buildings which make up the house.
When he died, his son Ibrahim bin Abu Seman inherited both the title
and the ownership of the house. Unfortunately Penghulu Ibrahim had
no son to succeed him and the house was eventually left vacant.
The rumah ibu was originally built for a Tok Taib who was a person
of note in Kampung Paya Takong. When the latter passed away, this
structure was sold to Penghulu Abu Seman who dismantled and moved
it to kampung Sungai Kechil in 1924. The balai was probably added
in the 1930s.
The three main sections of the house, the hall (balai), main house
(rumah ibu) and kitchen / dining room (dapur / ruang makan) were
constructed at different times and their origins differ.
The centre hosts regular exhibitions with a heritage theme and
has a gift shop and reference library. A guided tour and viewing
of a video documentary on the restoration is available.
Address: No. 2, Jalan Stonor, 50450 Kuala Lumpur
Open: 10am - 4pm (Monday - Friday) Except Public Holidays
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