Founded in 1821 and housed in a 19th century schoolhouse, the Penang State Museum and Art Gallery houses national and international treasures including a collection of pottery, furniture, jewelry, and traditional costumes, as well as eight oil paintings by Captain Robert Smith. It is divided into two exhibitions, one of which is permanent. The other is temporary, and the permanent exhibition contains galleries dedicated to the communities that lived in Penang and some of their historical events, as well as exhibits on natural history as well as amazing artwork.