Museum’s fashion relics remember the way we wore
Exhibition features styles 100 years apart
About 4500 people visited the Whanganui Regional Museum during its reopening weekend in March last year, and staff hope to see record numbers of visitors this summer.
Head curator and acting director Libby Sharpe said some Whanganui people might not have visited this year and encouraged them to spend some time there during the holidays.
“There is so much in the collection that is unique to Whanganui and t he refurbishments make it a very pleasant place to linger.”
The museum closed for earthquake strengthening and renovations in October 2016, then had to close again this year during Covid-19 restrictions, so Sharpe said some people might not have visited for a while.
There are 20 current exhibitions at the museum and seven tours are scheduled for the Whanganui Summer Programme, which begins in January.
The Samuel Drew Gallery downstairs houses the Teeth, Talons and Taxidermy exhibition, which includes a select i on f r om t he museum’s extensive collection of zoological objects.
Te Pa¯ t aka Whakaahua – The Lindauer Gallery houses one of the world’s most significant collections of Gottfri ed Lindauer’s paintings – all portraits of Ma¯ori tu¯puna ( ancestors). The stunning portraits are beautifully lit and displayed in the restored space.
Also downstairs is Te tihaunuia-pa¯pa¯rangi, the Ma¯ori Court housing the Taonga Ma¯ori collection. Museum programmes presenter Lisa Reweti will lead a tour of the collection on January 12.
The old Whanganui street exhibit which had to be dismantled when the museum was upgraded has been replaced with a new version upstairs. Te Awanui – The Avenue gives visitors a glimpse of what it would have been like to browse the shops on Victoria Ave in the late 19th century.
Dressed to Thrill is an exhibition that contrasts 1870s and 1970s clothing and accessories. Housed in the cabinets are some remarkable items of clothing worn by Whanganui residents who lived a century apart.
“At first glance, you see how different they were but there were also some remarkable similarities in the tailoring and designs,” Sharpe said.
“The 1970s is part of our history now and it is great to bring out these examples from the collection.”
Sharpe was delighted to find an old bicycle in the museum basement, which has been used for the Mahi Ngahau - Time Out exhibition.
It is a near match for the ones seen in a photograph of a young Edith Collier,
Whanganui’s pioneering modern painter. The photo dates from around 1897.
“She would have been around 12 and the woman with her is likely to have been her governess.
“Cycling was very new and women wore these special dresses they could button underneath.”
The Time Out exhibition celebrates Whanganui’s early proliferation of sporting, social, musical, theatrical and service clubs or societies, some of which are still active today.
Natural history enthusiasts will find plenty to see at the museum with Nga¯ Ika - Fish in the River, Aitanga-a-pe¯peke - The Smallest Creatures, Nga¯ Manu o¯ Whanganui - Birds of Whanganui, Te Hunahuna - Beaked Whales and Nga¯ Moa - the museum’s impressive collection of moa bones from the species that lived in this region.
There is also a fascinating array of cultural objects associated with the moa identity.
“Before the kiwi, the moa was our national bird and there are all these labels, logos and letterheads that show how that was represented.”
Sci enti s t and educator Keith Beautrais will lead the Big Bones tour at the museum on January 19, focusing on the moa and whales in the collection.
While t he Wanganui District Council provides a significant amount of the museum’s f unding requirements, the Whanganui Regi onal Museum Trust is an independent c harit y which relies on donations, grants and bequests to run Aall¯ its operations.
Trust chairman Marshall Tangaroa said fundraising for the museum was vital.
“I think a lot of people don’t realise that the museum is a charity and needs support from the community,” he said.
“It is such a valuable asset and needs everyone’s input to look after the collection and the building.”
He recently organised a Living & Dining Christmas Trail where participants purchased tickets to join a tour of 10 Whanganui destinations including the museum.
“I want to thank everyone who bought tickets, those who opened their homes to share their Christmas traditions and the businesses who supported the event.
“La Station, Footloose, Stonewood Homes, Pak’nsave as well as all the volunteers and the Wanganui Floral Art Group who supplied beautiful decorations.”
Tangaroa said it was heartwarming to see the level of support for the museum and people enjoying the Christmas spirit. ● The Whanganui Regional Museum is open to visitors 10am-4.30pm every day except Christmas Day. Entry is free, donations appreciated.