The museum was built in 1903 by Phra Chao Suriyapnong Phalidet, the penultimate lord of Nan, when he wanted to renovate his wooden residence. His successor, the Chao Maha Brahma Surathada, spent his lifetime in this building, and after his death his heirs donated it to the Thai government in 1931, with a request that it be used as a town hall for the province of Nan. In 1973, the government constructed a new town hall building and inaugurated the present museum. There is a regular schedule of renovation work, making this one of the most updated of all the museums in Thailand .
The ground floor has ethnological exhibits covering the various ethnic groups found in the province. Among the items on display are silverwork, textiles, folk utensils and tribal costumes.
On the 2nd floor are exhibits on Nan history, archaeology, local architecture, royal regalia, weapons, ceramics and religious art. Of the latter, the museum’s collection of Buddha images includes some rare Lanna styles as well as the floppy-eared local styles. Also on display on the 2nd floor is a rare ‘black’ elephant tusk said to have been presented to a Nan lord over 300 years ago by the Khün ruler of Chiang Tung (Kyaingtong).