The Museum publishes an annual newsletter of its activities, acquisitions and special exhibits. This is distributed to local residents and copies are available from the Museum. Our latest newsletter is below.
If you would like to receive an electronic copy, please email us your contact details.
RUSSELL MUSEUM welcomes the opportunity to keep you informed of what has been happening at the museum during 2007.
MARIE KING GALLERY:
Once again we have mounted several short term exhibitions. We hope you had the chance to visit and see them.
From December 06 to February 07 it was Best in the Bay to mark 120 years of service by the family and firm of Fullers – car and passenger ferries, tourist launches and game fishing boats, dolphin encounters and beach tours. All developed from a small family business initially for maritime freight transport.
From March to May The Story Below – told of the archaeological discoveries below the surface of Russell particularly on the Russell waterfront. Many of the artefacts found have been deposited at the museum, and also the reports of the digs.
Stephenson / Tepene, was the June to August exhibition – the story of an early bicultural family founded by Samuel Stephenson, merchant of Russell and his wife Hira Moewaka of Waikare. This was our Matariki exhibition.
September to November, A Kind of Fir, was the story of Kauri in the Bay of Islands. This exhibition featured photos and artefacts about our iconic Northland tree and supported the Kauri Festival.
Tall Ships is our summer exhibition from December to February 08. It will pay tribute to our maritime heritage in the Bay from missionaries, traders and whalers to today’s R Tucker Thompson.
ONGOING PROJECTS:
Our new whaleboat shelter on the Strand frontage has been completed and our unique American whaleboat shifted in on a new support cradle. New signage has been printed about whaling and has been placed in the shelter. Preservation of the boat will begin in summer 2008.
The old whaleboat site was cleaned up and planting of native trees and shrubs enhanced the grounds. It included a punga fence which required an archaeologist on site while excavations were made. Further plantings, seating and art work will be added over the next few years.
These projects have all been made possible by generous donations of funding and help from ASB Trust, Sir John Logan Campbell Trust and the Thanksgiving Trust for the whaleboat shelter; the Lion Foundation, Russell Landcare and FNDC Amenity Fund for the fence and plantings.
MAJOR ACQUISITIONS:
The museum continues to add books, photos and papers to its archives. It welcomes any material that adds to our knowledge of Russell and its environs.
A link with Nantucket resulted in a copy of the book Moby Dick for our whaling book collection.
A meeting with Clarice Green allowed us to copy to DVD an 8mm film of a visit to Russell in 1937.
PUBLICATIONS:
Jacky Nobody was reprinted early this year and we were pleased that so many people managed to attend the book launch and purchase a copy of our latest publication The Children of Rangi and Papa by local artist Pauline Kahurangi Yearbury. This was a very ambitious project for us, it has proved popular and is a limited edition.
The next book to be reprinted is When Boats ruled the Bay by Hazel Cates (nee Fuller). This book is about her family and events in the Bay until the 1960s. The museum staff has retyped the text of the original book adding fresh photos and an index. There are plans for a book launch when it is completed.
WEB SITE:
Much staff time over the winter months was spent on the development of the Russell Museum web site.
One of our trustees worked with the webmaster to set up the site.
Check it out on www.russellmuseum.org.nz
WORKING TOGETHER:
Russell Museum is pleased to be part of a school package with Pompallier, DOC Visitor Centre and R Tucker Thompson to provide visiting school groups with a Russell experience. This year 14 schools have taken part.
PUBLICITY:
Russell Museum is pleased to share our knowledge with the readers of Russell Lights. Heritage Corner and Treasure / Taonga have become regular features in this publication.
We also publicise our exhibitions and events by putting out press releases in the local papers.
ABOUT US:
Russell Museum’s aim is to preserve the history and heritage of Russell. It is self supporting with Trustees and volunteers, as well as paid staff.
Regular visitors to the museum are welcome to become a Friend of the Museum.
Russell Museum has an excellent shop specialising in Northland books. Have you read A Most Noble Anchorage by Marie King. This book is still the most comprehensive book on Russell and is available in the shop. There are also great gift ideas for all ages. We also offer a photocopying, faxing and laminating service.
We are open every day except Christmas day.
The Russell Centennial Trust Board that administers the Russell Museum held their Triennial meeting recently. Trustees re elected for a three year term are: Lorraine Young (chair), Claire Jones (deputy), Tony Hanlon, Jane Hindle, Eldon Jackson, Bob Magnusson, Rosamund Scoffham, Colleen Bottrell (library representative), Florence Annison (FNDC representative), and Terry Greening newly elected.
Mike Church, Harold Williams, John Gibb and Jill Williams retired during the year. They will be sadly missed as they all had their special skills that added to the Trust Board.
Staff: Heather Lindauer (curator), Dianne Davey (administrator), Pat McNicoll, Libby Magnusson and Shelley Arlidge (museum assistants).
