Nan Identity Hall, Restored When the Nan Rivers Boat Prows Rise Again.

If Nan’s pride has ever been etched in the cadence of paddles across the river, every racing boat’s “eyes” and “heart” is its prow a carved wooden figurehead.

Nan Identity Hall reopened after a major renovation with an updated exhibition of historic boat prows not as artifacts, but rather master-level works of art  there, with a liveliness, in a world where they exist, but a living space with the human face to it alive again. Light That Brings the Past Forward The first thing you’ll observe and notice in the new prow gallery is the lighting.

Carefully arranged, it opens up to the fine carved lines and aged textures of the wood details you might otherwise miss. It’s this way: The Naga (serpent) prow that once lurked quietly in the dark now seems powerful and mighty, a creature that’s waiting patiently to burst back into the Nan River at the right moment.

This is not a renovation with fresh paint. It’s closer to reviving history. Conservators and artisans sought to not only protect the original surfaces, but also preserve the work’s clarity and interest for visitors today. A quiet place that delivers big stories The new installation design also allows the gallery more open space so that you can walk around each prow, consider curves from multiple perspectives, grasp the tension between delicate floral motifs and the stern, watchful eyes of the Naga, presumably protecting those rowers as well as the boat. It is what is transformed here, from a “museum that stores old things” to a place that asks you to be touched by something.

These prows aren’t merely carved wood. They stand as evidence of Nan’s outstanding woodcarving tradition and serve as a testament to generations of community spirit. As part of Nan Creative City, this revitalized Nan Identity Hall serves as a bridge from roots to the future. Finding ancient prows in a contemporary setting gives rise to a fundamental idea: these lines, patterns, and forms still speak to new creative work today design, crafts, products, and contemporary art. This reopening isn’t just about restoring a building.

It’s a statement: Nan’s identity is still at its core and prepared to evolve along with the world today. Come Back to the Nan River’s Spirit if you've been there. The prows you remember now appear with new life thrown into them: displayed in a space created to commemorate them and let their stories be heard. Nan Identity Hall (Nan Identity Hall) Highlight: The newly restored exhibition of historic boat prows.