LATEST: The Nurses’ Station - Now Showing
projects . special exhibitions . collections
Projects
Family History
The Museum’s family history files are an ongoing project but special emphasis is being given to expanding this information in this our 30th birthday year. Previously the information held largely depended on what family or friends had passed to us, or material from old press clippings. Many local families have contributed generously, being wonderful sources of information over the years, but there are still many gaps.
It is a good feeling when someone comes in searching for information on a long dead relative and we can pull out details such as how much coal for how much pay that person moved in a certain week long ago; show them a photo from our archives; or show an second generation Australian family their great-grandmother’s wedding shoes.
New sources of information, such as PapersPast, have opened windows to the past by providing searchable articles from New Zealand newspapers of long ago. If you haven’t already discovered this try www.paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
Miners’ Voices
An Oral History project focusing on the Waikato Coalfields.
Recording the memories of mine workers and their families. If you know of anyone with mining connections who would like to share their knowledge and experience with us please contact our Registrar to arrange an initial meeting.
Photographic Project
The Museum has an extensive photographic collection documenting the lives and work of miners and other residents of the district over many, many years. Most of these are digitised and catalogued to give easy access to researchers, family historians and history buffs.
HUNTLY HERITAGE TRAIL
An exploration of the historic buildings and sites of Huntly.
These important buildings and sites reflect the town’s coal mining heritage, religions and businesses which are being fully researched and compiled in a trail brochure.
Educational Resources
Thanks to the generosity of WEL Energy Trust we are currently involved in a project to upgrade our Educational Resources. This may take a few months but we expect the finished product to provide an interactive and informative resource, updating and greatly improving the existing educational package with material for both students and teachers.
Many of these projects have been researched by Museum volunteers, if you would like to help research Huntly and District using the Museum’s various collections please contact us.
projects . special exhibitions . collections
special exhibitions
The Nurses’ Station
The Nurses’ Station is the working title of the next exhibition to be hosted by the Waikato Coalfields Museum, due to open on 17 September 2010. The Nurses’ Station is that oasis in every hospital ward or general practice where the nurse can retreat to plan her [or his] work, discuss her ideas with colleagues or log her notes at the end of her shift. This exhibition will examine some of Huntly’s healthcare history with particular emphasis on the contribution made by local nurses, midwives and other health carers over the years. In addition to providing plenty for the museum visitor to look at, the exhibition will feature hands-on activities for younger and older visitors alike.
The objects in this exhibition will be mainly drawn from those in our own collection but if anyone has anything that may be of interest then we would welcome a phone call at 828 8128 to discuss this. If you have any stories relating to nursing or carers in Huntly history then please do call us. We want to make as many of these people as visible as possible.
Seldom Seen Objects
Selected objects from our collection.
Object #1 Image of object from collection is mid-Victorian wedding dress, c1830-1850. It was worn by Jane Russell. Her husband had the dubious honour of being New Zealand's first mining death.
Object #2 from collection is a Proficiency Certificate. These were the bane of many student's lives until the 1930s. Students were frequently unable to leave school or get a job without one - we are not even talking High school! Most students sat for their Proficiency Certificate at the end of their Standard 6 year - Year 8 in today's parlance. Getting your Proficiency Certificate entitled you to two year's free secondary education; although for many people, even that was a pipedream - their parent's could not afford to send them.
'Oral History Station'
The old switchboard from the Te Kauwhata telephone exchange has been converted into an oral history station; courtesy of Castle Trust.
By plugging in switchboard pegs while listening through the handset, you will hear voices from the past.
OBJECTS
