The idea for a museum to display and preserve traditional Fijian culture was first discussed in 1904. Later that year Sir William Allardyce presented his collection to the Suva Town Board, and it was displayed in the Town Hall.
n 1908 the Fijian Society was formed with the specific aim of researching and preserving the country's history and culture. The formation of a museum was included in this aim. In 1910 the government approved an annual grant of £25 to appoint a collection caretaker. With the passing of the Fiji Museum Ordinance in 1929, the museum was formally inaugurated as a Government Statutory Body with a Board of Trustees.I
Local residents presented pieces and collections to the Town Board and artifacts were purchased by the Trustees. These contributed towards a growing collection which filled the Town Hall.
The
collection remained on display in the Town Hall until 1919 when a substantial
part of the hall was destroyed by fire. The collection was moved to a
variety of venues until the government was persuaded by the Trustees to
build a National Museum.
The current museum was opened in 1955 by the Governor of Fiji, Sir Ronald
Garvey. This building was used to house the displays, reserve collection
and provide storage. Today the building has two adjoining sections, the
first constructed in 1972 and the second in 1978. Together, these buildings
provide a history gallery, masi gallery, art gallery, Indo-Fijian gallery,
temporary exhibition space, store rooms and gift shop. The archives, photographic
studio, editing suite, library and administration offices are located
in what was the Nawela Hostel for women, adjacent to the main museum building.
For
a long time the museum served as a storehouse for cultural items and as
a centre for an erudite minority. The majority of local people did not
show much interest. In the 1960's a series of education and craft programmes
was initiated by the newly appointed director, Bruce Palmer. However,
a long-term injection of funds to maintain such programmes was not made.
Over the years, the museum's reputation was built up as a research institution
by directors such as R.A. Derrick, B. Palmer, and F. Clunie. Their work
along with that of other world renowned scholars was published by the
museum, establishing it as a small centre of academic excellence. Sadly
the lack of funding has restricted the research and publishing programmes.
The recent employment of key professional staff has enabled the museum not only to effectively discharge its responsibilities according to professional museum standards, but also to develop educational programmes aimed at generating greater support from the community.
The Ratu Finau war canoe and Bilibili "Bamboo Raft" sits in the pre-history gallery of the Fiji Museum.
