Show lays Tawa bare
If you want to see Tawa striped bare, head along to the suburb’s library next month.
Tawa Historical Society is holding a photographic exhibition from June 5 to 15, with 50 pictures and portraits adorning the walls of the library.
Society chairperson Bruce Murray says for four years they have held lectures during Tawa History Week, drawing small crowds, so this year they decided to do something of wider interest.
‘‘There’s plenty in the exhibition for the train buffs, showing how the railway was so important in terms of Tawa’s development and we have advertising shots, panoramic views, photographs and topographical pictures of the whole area. It really shows Tawa back in the day . . . and how far we’ve come.’’
Many of the pictures are from the society’s own burgeoning archives, with many more gleaned from Alexander Turnbull Library. Mr Murray says there are some real gems, including one grainy shot of the Old Porirua Road from more than 130 years ago.
Local businesses New Zealand Micrographic Services and Frame It did the printing and framing at discounted prices, while the Tawa Community Board came through with a grant which made the exhibition possible.
‘‘It’s always interesting what streets and parks and streams looked like. I look at some of these photographs and can’t believe that this land has been completely cleared, all except for Redwood.’’