International Museum Day 18 May

Sunday 18 May was International Museum Day, a day celebrated this week to encourage people to visit and enjoy museums, and to raise awareness about the challenges that museums face that they can only survive with the support of their.

It is a great opportunity to explore the history of Norfolk Island. It is always interesting to visit the wonderful museums in the historic Norfolk Island World Heritage area, Kingston Arthurs Vale Historic Area, known as KAHVA, and walk around the Georgian Buildings and convict ruins down at Kingston.

Museums help to preserve the world’s culture and history. Their role in collecting objects and materials of cultural and historical importance helps us to better understand our heritage. Museums also help to provide an all-important link to the past. Museums support local economies by creating employment opportunities and tourism.

International Museum Day (IMD) is celebrated annually on May 18 to raise awareness about the vital role museums play in cultural exchange, education, and preservation of heritage. International Museum Day was established in 1977 by the International Council of Museums (ICOM). The aim was to create a platform for museum professionals to engage with the public and highlight the importance of museums in societal development. Since then, IMD has grown into a global event celebrated in over 150 countries.

There are many historic areas on Norfolk Island from the Polynesian Settlements, visit Emily Bay for more information. Drive out Captain Cook Reserve and visit the area where James Cook and crew on the HMS Resolution came ashore on 10 October 1774. The British returned and started the First British Colonial Settlement 6 March 1788 to 1814. During this settlement, HMS Sirius founded on the Kingston reef on 19 March 1790, and the museum at Kingston has artefacts from the ship wreck and stories of the First Fleeters. The British destroyed their settlement buildings when they left in 1814 but returned again June 1825 and set up the Second British Penal Settlement which as a convict settlement until 1855. Remains of the convict settlements can be seen around Norfolk Island and many convict ruins and military structures remain at Kingston. The Pitcairn Islanders arrived on 8 June 1856 and the Pier Store Museum in Kingston has items on display including a Bounty cannon and many other interesting artefacts. The Norfolk Island we know today has grown into a very special community since their arrival of the Pitcairn Islanders almost 169 years ago.

Here on Norfolk Island, there are a number of museums:

The Norfolk Island Museums at Kingston, situated in the historic buildings in the KAHVA world heritage area. You can also visit the Kingston Graveyard, there are many stories to learn from those who once lived on Norfolk Island.

Another museum is privately owned, the “Bounty Museum”, near the Norfolk Island Central School, open 7 days a week from 10am to 4pm. “Discover History at the Bounty Museum!” There is also a large replica of Bligh’s Longboat on display.

The Norfolk Island RSL Sub Branch & Military Museum in town has an interesting display of Norfolk Island war history, including the WWII war history of Norfolk Island plus the radar station on Norfolk Island. This museum was opened for the celebration of “75 years of Peace in the Pacific”. Also, on display in the RSL Museum is the HMAV Bounty cannon which was auctioned in Scotland and then donated to the NI Council of Elders on Anniversary Day 8th June 2018.

There is also the Pitcairn Village which has the oldest bus on Norfolk Island and a wonderful tour of the Norfolk Island history since the arrival of the Pitcairn Islanders. This is next to Cyclorama and Queen Victoria Gardens which are both worth a visit and a beautiful place to learn more about Norfolk Island historic past.

Museums play a cultural exchange, education, and preservation of heritage and Museums which are such an important industry for Norfolk Island. They are an important part of our economy, a place that employ locals, and they promote Norfolk Island tourism.

If you enjoy learning about culture, history and links to our past, visiting the Museums is a must during your visit to Norfolk Island. Whether you book a tour, explore the World Heritage Area at Kingston, or enjoyed the museums and the exhibits and artefacts. There is so much to explore and as this week was International Museum Day, what a great time to enjoy visiting your local museums or book a trip to Norfolk Island and come and learn about our fascinating history.

Here are a few images from Facebook posts and other photos I have taken at KAVHA and of historic areas on Norfolk Island

Betty Matthews

23 May 2025