 Agnes Keith House, Sandakan
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About Agnes Keith House
Agnes Keith House is a heritage building in Sandakan, Sabah, that was once the home of famous American writer Agnes Newton Keith. It is located on the hill with Sandakan Bay in front of it, and the Sulu Sea behind it. Agnes Keith came to live in Sabah with her husband in the 1930's. While she was in Sabah, Keith wrote several novels, the most famous of which was Land Below the Wind, written in 1939.
Agnes Keith's house was destroyed during the Second World War. During that time, Agnes Keith endured imprisonment under the Japanese, while at the same time trying to raise her young son. This is documented in the house.
In 1946, following the war, the government rebuilt it on the same foundation. The Keiths continued to stay in there house, as Mr Keith worked for the government as the conservator of forests. Their son George was born in the house. After the Keiths left Sabah in 1952, the house continued to be known as the Agnes Keith House. It fell into disrepair by the 1990's, but was eventually restored and conserved as a heritage building, providing visitors a glimpse of life during the British administration of North Borneo. There is also an English Tea House within the compound - a departure from Agnes Keith's attempt to make her home more American and less British.
Getting there
Go along Jalan Singapura and then turn rigyht up the hill.
Address
Agnes Keith House
Jalan Istana
Admission: RM15.00, includes entry to other branches of Sabah Museum even in Kota Kinabalu.
Agnes Keith Location Map
View Agnes Keith House in a larger map
Agnes Keith House, Sandakan
Author: AleceSaito
Photos provided by Panoramio are under the copyright of their owners
English Tea House at Agnes Keith House
Author: Anders Lukic
Photos provided by Panoramio are under the copyright of their owners
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