Agnes Keith House, Colonial house museum in Sandakan, Malaysia
Agnes Keith House is a two-story wooden colonial residence in Sandakan furnished with authentic 1940s pieces, from furniture to household items. The displays include photographs, personal possessions, and documents that reflect the daily life of its former residents.
The residence was home to American writer Agnes Keith from 1934 to 1942, when Japanese occupation during World War II brought that era to an end. This marked the conclusion of an important chapter in the town's colonial period.
The rooms reveal how English colonial families lived in North Borneo, with personal letters and first editions of Agnes Keith's books showing her experiences in the region. Visitors see the daily objects and customs that shaped life during that era.
The museum is reachable daily and sits within easy reach of central Sandakan. The rooms are laid out in a way that lets visitors move through at their own pace without feeling rushed.
The structure features wide verandas and large windows designed specifically for natural air flow in tropical weather. These architectural solutions show how colonial buildings adapted to local climate conditions.
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