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Royal Patron, Board of Directors and Staff

Bringing history to life through purpose, care, and dedication.
Her Majesty The Queen Jetsuen Pema Wangchuck

Royal Patron

Dasho Kesang Wangdi

Deputy Chair, Royal Privy Council, Chairperson

Mrs. Daphne Hoch Cunningham

Founding Donor, Vice-Chairperson

Dr. Ratna Bdr. Gurung

Dzongda, Bumthang Dzongkhag Administration, Treasurer

Mr. Namgay Rinchen

Deputy Chamberlian, His Majesty’s Secretariat, Member

Mrs. Nagtsho Dorji

Director General, Department of Culture and Dzongkha Development, Member

Mr. Tshewang Wangchuk

President and CEO, Bhutan Foundation, Member

Mr. Damcho Rinzin

Director, Department of Tourism, Member

Mr. Lawrence Rinder

Museum Expert, Member

Mrs. Rosemary Phelan

Donor, Member

Dr. Lam Kelzang Chhoephel

Culture Expert, Member

Dr. Kuenga Lhendup

Executive Director, WPMCC, Member Secretary

Dr. Kuenga Lhendup

Executive Director

Dorji Wangchuk

Conservator

Gempo Wangdi

Curator

Kuenzang Thakchu Dorji

Research Officer

Soanam Tenzin

Facilities Manager

Ngawang Phuntsho

Asst. Finance Officer

Tenzin Phuntsho

Asst. Conservator

Rinchen Dema

Museum Assistant (Receptionist)

Tempa Zangmo

Museum Assistant (Receptionist)

Sonam Wangmo

Office Assistant

Kinga Seldon

Sales Assistant / Receptionist.

Pema Dechen

Sales Assistant / Receptionist.

Tenzin Wangda

Facilities Assistant

Kencho Tshering

Security Guard

Nima Rigphel Dorji

Security Guard

Passang Dorji

Security Guard

Sonam Yangzom

Security Guard

Yeshi Dorji

Security Guard

Tshering Wangdi

Security Guard

Namgay

Gardener, Cleaner

Phul Maya Gurung

Gardener, Cleaner

Sangay Dema

Gardener, Cleaner

Karna Maya Rai

Gardener, Cleaner

Location & Address
  • The Wangduechhoeling Palace Museum & Cultural Centre
  • Bumthang Bhutan
Operating Hours
  • Monday - Saturday
    9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
  • Please check with us in advance regarding opening hours on public holidays.
Plan Your Visit

Support Us

Help us protect Bhutan’s royal heritage for generations to come. Your contribution supports ongoing restoration, artifact conservation, and cultural education programs at the palace.

Support Our Mission

Dr. Kuenga Lhendup, Executive Director

Dr. Kuenga Lhendup is the Executive Director of the Wangduechhoeling Palace Museum and Cultural Centre in Bumthang, Bhutan. Working at the intersection of cultural heritage, linguistics, and museum leadership, he is dedicated to preserving and promoting Bhutan’s cultural and linguistic heritage through research, heritage conservation, and community engagement.

He holds a PhD in Linguistics from the University of Sydney, where his research focused on the endangered Kurtöp language, as well as a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Marketing Management from the University of Canberra, Australia. Before joining the Museum in 2025, he spent nearly fifteen years at the Royal Textile Academy of Bhutan, where he was a founding staff member and most recently served as Deputy Director.

Dr. Lhendup has led and contributed to numerous initiatives in language documentation, museum development, and cultural heritage preservation. Passionate about education and mentorship, he believes in empowering future generations to value and carry forward Bhutan’s rich cultural legacy.

Dorji Wangchuk, Conservator

Dorji Wangchuk is a Conservator with more than three decades of experience in museum conservation and cultural heritage preservation. He began his career at the National Museum of Bhutan, serving in a range of roles from Laboratory Assistant in the Conservation Section to Conservator and Curatorial Assistant, building extensive expertise in the care and preservation of Bhutan’s cultural heritage.

Throughout his career, Dorji has received specialized conservation training in South Korea, Norway, the United States, Nepal, Denmark, and India. He completed a six-month internship at The Textile Museum in Washington, D.C., focusing on textile collections management, and has contributed to major conservation projects, including the restoration of wall paintings in Trongsa Dzong and the preservation of manuscripts at the National Library of Bhutan.

At the Wangduechhoeling Palace Museum and Cultural Centre, Dorji is responsible for conservation and collections care and also serves as the Museum’s Store and Inventory In-charge, overseeing the management and accountability of collections and museum assets. In recognition of his distinguished public service, he has received multiple Royal Civil Service Commission awards, including the Gold Medal for thirty years of dedicated service.

Gempo Wangdi, Curator

Gempo is a Curator and Administrative Officer at the WPMCC, where he has been involved in documenting, preserving, and interpreting the Museum’s collections since 2020. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and Dzongkha and combines his academic background with practical experience in collections management, research, exhibition development, and museum administration.

He has received specialized training in collection documentation from EKA Archiving Services Pvt. Ltd. and completed the HarvardX course Tangible Things: Discovering History Through Artworks, Artifacts, Scientific Specimens, and the Stuff Around You, sponsored by the Bhutan Foundation.

At the Museum, Gempo is responsible for collections management, curatorial research, exhibition planning, and also doubles up as the Administrative Officer. Beyond his professional work, he enjoys exploring Bhutan’s cultural landscapes and documenting them through photography.

Kuenzang Thakchu Dorji, Research Officer

Thegchog is a Research Officer and Education Focal at the WPMCC, where he has worked since 2023. He contributes to curatorial research, exhibition content development, historical validation, and the documentation and interpretation of Bhutan’s cultural heritage. He also leads the Museum’s education and outreach programmes, working closely with schools, students, and community groups to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of Bhutan’s history and culture.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Sociology from Royal Thimphu College. Prior to joining the Museum, he served as an Assistant Research Officer at the National Council Secretariat, supporting parliamentary research, translation, and public engagement. He has also gained research experience with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and contributed to the UNDP-supported Gyakid Ride public transport initiative.

A passionate researcher, Thegchog received a Certificate of Excellence for his ethnographic research on marriage patterns among the nomadic communities of Sakteng. He is deeply committed to education, community engagement, and the preservation of Bhutan’s cultural heritage, and enjoys reading, learning new skills, and exploring Bhutan’s history.

Sonam Tenzin, Facilities Manager

Sonam is an enthusiastic Facilities Manager at the WPMCC, where he is responsible for overseeing the efficient operation, maintenance, and development of all physical facilities within the museum premises. His role is critical in ensuring that the museum’s facilities not only support the preservation of artifacts but also ensure the comfort and safety of visitors, as well as the smooth functioning of day-to-day operations.

Prior to joining the museum, Sonam was a Project Manager at Pema Lingpa Foundation in 2023 and worked as a Project Engineer on the Restoration and Adaptive Reuse of Wangduechhoeling Palace from 2015 to 2024. His expertise in project management and engineering supports his efficient management of museum facilities.

Sonam holds a degree in Civil Engineering from Jigme Namgyel Engineering College (2015). His experience and training include conducting a research project on locally made bricks versus burned clay bricks as part of his on-the-job training at Samtse Dzongkhag Administration in 2014.

 

Ngawang Phuntsho, Asst. Finance Officer

Ngawang is the Asst. Finance Officer at the WPMCC, responsible for overseeing the Museum’s financial management, budgeting, accounting, and regulatory compliance. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting from Gedu College of Business Studies and brings extensive experience in financial administration and corporate accounting.

Prior to joining the Museum, Ngawang served in finance leadership roles at Sherza Venture Limited and Kuengay Industries Pvt. Ltd., where he managed financial reporting, compliance, budgeting, and strategic financial planning. He also worked as an Accountant at Takchu SD Quartzite Mining and contributed to academic research on the efficiency of Bhutan’s banking sector.

Proficient in financial management systems and accounting software, Ngawang plays a key role in ensuring the Museum’s financial sustainability and operational efficiency. He is also committed to continuous professional development and has received several recognitions, including His Majesty’s Certificate for Academic Excellence and the De-suung Certificate.

Tenzin Phuntsho, Asst. Conservator

Tenzin is the Assistant Conservator at the WPMCC, where he has been contributing to the care, preservation, and management of the Museum’s collections since April 2024. He began his career in the museum sector in 2001 at the National Museum of Bhutan, where he played an instrumental role in documenting and inventorying the Museum’s collections.

With over two decades of experience in museum conservation, Tenzin has received specialized training in Bhutan and abroad, developing extensive expertise in preventive conservation, collections care, and museum management. In recognition of his dedicated public service, he was awarded the Royal Civil Service Commission’s Bronze Medal in 2012 for ten years of distinguished service.

At the WPMCC, Tenzin is responsible for artifact conservation, collections care, and store management, ensuring the safe preservation and organization of the Museum’s holdings. He also serves as the Museum’s Staff Secretary, supporting staff welfare and fostering a positive and collaborative working environment.