Besides the rich exhibits in the three Royal Galleries, the museum holds thousands of artifacts, which are showcased from time to time. The exhibits range from traditional costumes, games, glassware, ceramics, metal ware and weapons. All these artifacts represent the rich history of Pahang.

In front of the museum, you will see an old CL-41G-5 fighter jet propped on a concrete display stand. The jet was part of the RMAF's (Royal Malaysian Air Force) "Tebuan" (wasp) Squadron, which saw action in counter-insurgency operations. The Tebuan entered service in Malaysia in 1967, serving for over 20 years, before being phased out in June 1986. Since then the RMAF has gone through several stages of upgrades to reach a certain level of air superiority with the procurement of the state-of-the-art Russian Sukhoi SU-30 and the U.S.-made F/A 18 Hornet, among others. On the right of the Tebuan display, across the walkway, is another aircraft -- this time representing Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) - a British-made WASP MK1 helicopter, which was used during the 1980s.

The museum building was built in 1929 to replace the original wooden bungalow built in 1888. Used as the residence of the British Resident for several years, the building underwent several renovations and restorations. During the 2nd World War, it was used as the headquarters of the Japanese Army in Pahang. After the war it was converted into the official palace of the late Sultan Abu Bakar and was renamed Istana Kota Beram. In 1975, the Pahang State Museum Board turned the building into what it is today.

The Watercraft Gallery

Opposite the entrance to the museum, across the road, is the Watercraft Gallery. Sited on a sandbar, which has since turned into an island known as Pulau Beram, the gallery exhibits replicas and restored watercrafts used in Pahang through the centuries.

Considering that the rivers in Pahang were at one time very much like the roads of today; extensively used as a conduit for transportation, it is only deserving that representations of the watercrafts used through the years be showcased. From ancient dugouts, elaborate perahus, to more modern watercrafts, the gallery stands as a salute to the rivers of Pahang.