Raglan Museum staff working toward opening of exhibition
Raglan museum president Pat Day is on the lookout for a stuffed Kiwi and the name of a mystery sailor in an old photograph for the opening of the seaside village’s new museum.
This mystery photo, found in a tidy-up at the Raglan Community House, has been given to the Museum Society. Does anyone recognise the people in it?
Raglan and District Museum Society President, Dr Patrick Day said they hope to display the mystery photo in the new museum if the couple can be identified, and if they have a connection with Raglan.
“When we reopen we intend to orientate much more towards exhibiting collections of relevance to this district,” Pat says.
Until now the museum has housed a eclectic range of pieces, from old vacuum cleaners, old stoves, old saws, bits and pieces generously donated over the years and not necessarily originating from Raglan and surrounds.
“We’re taking the opportunity with the new and larger space we’ll have to better reflect the history of this area.”
The Society is keen to create a display dedicated to the iconic surfing culture which is Raglan.
“I’ve been in contact with Bob Comer, a Raglan surfer from way back about acquiring some pieces for the surfing display. We hope the display will really mark our museum as being special to this area,” says Pat.
Another recent gift is a specialised bird display cabinet.
The Society got the cabinet from Pirongia Forest Park, a lodge located on Mount Pirongia.
“Now we’re asking whether anyone out there would like to donate stuffed native birds so we can fill the cabinet. We just want native birds.”
The museum already has a small collection of birds, including Kereru, Tui, Ruru (Morepork) and Shining Cuckoos.
“If we could acquire a preserved Kiwi it would be a welcome addition to the collection.”
Meanwhile the museum society is busy preparing for the move into the new museum. Construction of the museum and information centre is a little ahead of schedule.
An expert museum designer will visit soon to advise the group on how best to go at setting up the new spaces. Te Rangi Tinirau will bring his years of experience constructing museums and developing display plans. His services have been funded through a $2000 Te Papa Museum grant.
“We have a much larger area to work with and it’s exciting. I’m interested to hear what Te Rangi thinks will work well for our large downstairs atrium area,” Pat says.
The museum society turned its attentions seriously toward a new museum space in 2005. Since then more than $1 million has been raised primarily through application to various trusts, including Perry Group, WEL Energy, Trust Waikato and The Lotteries Board. The Waikato District Council contributed $300,000 toward the project.
“Without the efforts of Rodger and Virginia Gallagher in particular and the support of councillor Clint Baddeley we would not have got the funds we did. The journey toward a new museum space has been a long one. It was first talked about in 1999,” says Pat.
More fundraising is ahead. The museum needs a sophisticated heat pump which will cost about $55,000.
“A museum needs a constant temperature to maintain its collections well. Without a heat pump that can achieve this in a large space we won’t be able to borrow displays from other museums,” Pat says.
If anyone can help with the specific requests or wants further information about the Raglan and District Museum Society, please contact Pat on 07 825 8416.
