Investing in the future of Marlborough’s past

A digitisation project for the Marlborough Museum and Edwin Fox Maritime Museum is seen as an important investment to protect Marlborough’s past records and make them more accessible.

The $196,000 boost in funding for heritage is proposed in Council’s Long Term Plan. “Digitisation at the Marlborough Museum is many years behind comparable museums and this needs attention. We believe it is important that Marlborough’s heritage becomes more accessible to the public,” Council’s Project Lead - Arts, Culture and Heritage Nicola Neilson said.

“The digitisation project will encompass other museums around Marlborough too and software options will be explored to make a Marlborough-wide online site, particularly for photographs.

We plan to start with the Marlborough Express negative collection which is an amazing record of Marlborough life.”

“Digitisation will allow the public to see images that are normally only available by a visit to the archives or an email enquiry. People all around New Zealand and the world would then be able to access Marlborough’s heritage,” she said.

The project would start with a new website and branding for both the Edwin Fox and the Marlborough Museum. “Both facilities have established branding and social media channels however, they were produced on a limited budget,”

Mrs Neilson said.

The museum and the Edwin Fox’s IT systems also need upgrading to enable connection to Council’s systems which is included in the funding proposed.

In July 2023 Council took over the functions of the Marlborough Heritage Trust which includes the day to day running of the Marlborough Museum and Edwin Fox.

Public consultation begins soon on Council’s Long Term Plan (LTP) 2024-2034.

The start of the women's wheelbarrow derby in Picton from the Marlborough Express 23 March 1964. Miss P Key is on the left and Miss I Black on the right. From the Marlborough Express negative collection, Stuff Ltd