It's that time once again! At the Ashburton Museum we often come across some strange things from day to day, including odd and interesting stories from the archives.
More district mischief
The Friedlander Family Album
As the one responsible for the archives at Ashburton museum, it is my job to assess, catalogue, and preserve documentary material that holds historical significance to our town and district. I spend some days answering requests from the community regarding family history, while the rest of my time comprises of caring for the collection, working... Continue Reading →
Albert Ager, an architect of note
Albert Ager was an architect from Christchurch who briefly made his mark in Ashburton during the late 1890s and early 1900s. Ager trained at the School of Architecture at Canterbury College, Christchurch. It seems that before coming to Ashburton, he lectured at the School of Art. He delivered a series of lectures on the history... Continue Reading →
The roaring twenties
While for many the roaring twenties evoke thoughts about the USA, Great Gatsby and feather headbands, there is actually a lot to be said about the 1920s in New Zealand. Radio, cinema, gramophones, motor cars, electricity, fuel, the broadening of educational and professional sectors and cities were all expanding as ‘modern’ New Zealand came of... Continue Reading →
Expect the unexpected
When managing a collection of photographs six million strong, you soon learn to expect the unexpected. In the time that I have worked with the collections at Ashburton Museum, I have come across a number of unique and interesting images which hold some novelty or significance beyond historical.
Dry Docks and Sunspots
People are always trying to predict and speculate on the future – it’s often more important to us than the present. Whether we are thinking ahead at work, checking the weather, or making financial decisions, the future is always on our minds. The distant future, too, is often the subject of much discussion and thought,... Continue Reading →
Frank Guinness: entrepreneur, activist, magistrate
Ashburton’s magistrate in 1879, Frank Guinness, a grandson of the famous brewer, was not afraid of controversy and had a strong, even extreme, sense of his own authority. When he wanted something, he usually got it. Sometimes, however, he was on the receiving end – especially when he met the Ashburton Wizard, who may have... Continue Reading →
The Topp Twins: A Kiwi History
In late 2019, the Ashburton Museum hosted Te Manawa Museum's popular exhibition ‘The Topp Twins: An Exhibition for New Zealand’. It celebrated the outstanding contribution these inspiring women make to our nation’s social, cultural and political landscape. The Topp Twins relates well to our small town, kiwi can-do attitude common to many communities around New... Continue Reading →
Why we love home
In 2019, the exhibition Ashburton: Feels Like Home gave us a chance to overcome this difficulty. In the exhibition, we asked our visitors to tell us, in their own words, what makes them know they are home?
Kia ora Ashburton
While increasingly English became the dominant language of New Zealand, these new New Zealanders were also interested in what gave their new nation a unique identity.
