Nambawan Haus Museum in Tulagi will Officially Open Next Week
Honiara, Solomon Islands – 21/07/2026: The Solomon Islands Government through the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, in partnership with Central Islands provincial government will officially open the Nambawan Haus Museum in Tulagi on 28 July 2026, marking a major milestone in the preservation and promotion of the nation’s cultural and colonial heritage.
Prime Minister Hon. Matthew Wale is expected to officiate at the opening ceremony, alongside Premier Hon. Kenneth Sagupari, members of the Central Islands Provincial Assembly, senior government officials, and representatives of bilateral partners whose longstanding support has contributed to preserving the rich history of Central Islands province and Solomon Islands.
The Nambawan Haus Museum is the country’s second museum and represents a significant investment in protecting, celebrating and sharing the unique history and identity of Central province for present and future generations.
The museum is housed in the former official residence of Charles Woodford, the Resident Commissioner of the British, who administered Solomon Islands Protectorate during the colonial era. Situated on a hill overlooking Tulagi, the building commands panoramic views across Iron Bottom Sound to Guadalcanal and the nearby Ngella Islands.
Following extensive restoration work, the historic building was officially handed over to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Central Islands provincial government on 2 May 2025, paving the way for its public opening.
More than a museum, the Nambawan Haus will serve as a centre for learning, research and cultural exchange. Through ongoing research, community engagement and the addition of new collections, the museum will continue to grow, ensuring stories, traditions and history of Central Islands province remain alive, relevant and accessible.
The museum is also expected to become a key tourism attraction for the province, showcasing Central Islands’ rich cultural heritage while creating new opportunities for education, research and sustainable tourism development.
Visitors will journey through more than 2,500 years of Central Islands history, exploring the cultural traditions of the Kula people before European contact, the arrival of early European explorers, the establishment of the British Protectorate and Tulagi as the nation’s colonial capital, the Second World War campaign in and around Tulagi, and the formation of Central Islands province.
As a branch of the Solomon Islands National Museum, the Nambawan Haus Museum will continue to evolve through ongoing research and collaboration with local communities, ensuring its exhibitions remain dynamic and continue to reveal new insights into the province’s history and people.
One of the museum’s centrepiece exhibits is the Binabina War Canoe, a traditional Ngella war canoe that had not been built for generations. The canoe was handcrafted by Mr. William Semu of Haroro, recognised as the last known master builder of this traditional vessel.
Constructed entirely using customary materials and techniques, the project was carefully documented to preserve invaluable traditional knowledge for future generations. The revival of the Binabina War Canoe represents not only the restoration of a traditional vessel but also the revival of an endangered cultural practice.
The canoe is displayed within the museum’s purpose-built Vale Kiala (Kastom Canoe House), providing visitors with a unique opportunity to appreciate one of the province’s most significant cultural achievements.
The official opening of the Nambawan Haus Museum reflects the Solomon Islands government’s ongoing commitment to preserving the nation’s heritage, strengthening cultural identity, supporting education and research, and promoting sustainable cultural tourism.
Source: Ministry of Culture & Tourism
