Thatched house gets a new roof
Report from Kelly Green with photos from Julia Gunther
General view towards the rear of the Thatched House Museum showing thatching in progress
There is something very special about seeing our heritage being cared for, not just preserved, but actively kept alive by the community.
The Thatched House Museum is one of the most important cultural landmarks on Tristan da Cunha. It offers a glimpse into how island life once was, showcasing traditional building methods and the way our community lived in earlier years. Maintaining it is not just about keeping a building in good condition, but about protecting a piece of our identity and sharing it with visitors from around the world.
On Monday 16th March 2026, the Tourism pensioners group came together to re-thatch the back of the Thatched House Museum. In the week leading up to this, they had already been hard at work cutting and preparing the thatch, ready for the job.
They were joined by members of the younger generation, making it a real community effort, with skills and knowledge being passed down. Support also came from across departments, with staff from PWD, Mechanical and Agriculture lending a hand to get the work completed.
The Tourism pensioners group, play a vital role in supporting the island. They regularly assist the Tourism Department, and alongside projects like this, they also take care of the graveyard, keeping the grass neat and tidy, as well as helping with many other jobs across the settlement.
It is truly inspiring to see how much they continue to give. Their dedication, hard work and willingness to help make a real difference to the community, and their contribution does not go unnoticed.
Thanks to everyone involved, the Thatched House Museum was looking beautiful and ready to welcome visitors during the two cruise ship visits on 20th March.
A big thank you to all who took part in this effort. It is through work like this that our heritage continues to live on.
Preparing the New Zealand flax leaves into bundles
Men at work laying flax bundles on the roof.
Close-up of flax bundles being laid and tied down
See also the Thatched House Museum Home Page for more about this unique Tristan museum.