ETPISON MUSEUM OPENS IN PALAU
Koror, Republic of Palau (January 31, 2000). A new museum has opened in the Republic of Palau. Palau is an island nation located in the Micronesian Islands, 800 miles southwest of Guam and 700 miles east of the Philippines. The tropical islands of the republic stretch for nearly 500 miles from the northern most island of Kayangel to the southern most island groups.
The 4,500 square foot museum, designed, built and funded by Shallum and Mandy Etpison, celebrated its grand opening on the 24th of August and was dedicated to the late President Ngiratkel Etpison, who donated the land for its project. The Etpison Museum features displays of prehistoric pottery and tools, heirloom items donated by Palauan families, rare seashells, original Palauan money beads and turtle shell money plates, antique maps and paintings. There are also two full size canoes and a miniature 'bai' (men's house), all built in the traditional manner.
The museum is open daily from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. For more information on Palau visit www.visit-palau.com or contact the Palau Visitors Authority at pva@palaunet.com.
(Source: Pacific Islands Report, Pacific Islands Development Program/East-West Center, Center for Pacific Islands Studies/University of Hawai'i at Manoa (Thanks to Wendy Arbeit))