Museums

There are three museums located in the Kingston and Arthur's Vale Historic Area.

The Norfolk Island Museum

Pier Store

The story of the Flagship of the First Fleet, the HMS Sirius , is told on the lower floor. The exhibition details the ship's highly significant history, wreck off Slaughter Bay and recovery of the artefacts on display. The upper floor tells of the Third Settlement from 1856. The drama of the mutiny on the Bounty , the Pitcairners' arrival on Norfolk Island, the Melanesian Mission and Island industry, events and culture are all covered.

The Commissariat Store

Located in the basement of the building now commonly known as All Saints Church, fascinating stories emerge from the archaeological remains of Norfolk's four settlements. Found in this museum are items such as Polynesian hearthstones, glass beads of the First Settlement, whips from the cruel Third Settlement and ceramics scratched with unique ownership marks of the Pitcairners.

No 10. Quality Row

Built in classic Georgian style for the Foreman of Works in 1844, this house has been restored to reflect the period of its first inhabitant, Thomas Seller. When the Pitcairn Islanders arrived in 1856 Isaac and Miriam (nee Young) Christian and their 15 children moved in. The house continued to be lived in right up until 1988 when it was restored and became a museum.

Royal Engineers Office and Guard House

These second settlement buildings are located next to the famous Kingston Pier. The REO Café and Bookshop serves delicious snacks and lunches and stocks a comprehensive selection of books on Norfolk Island's history. The Guard House is used as the Museum's reference library and also a collection of photographs and paper based material.

See Tours & Shows - Historic & Museum for Museum Tour operators or read more about the history of Norfolk Island by viewing History and Culture.