Combined Historical Groups Meeting

(February 15th 2015)
Report by Coralie Smith

This was a bright idea that came out of the Nelson Historical Society working with the Waimea Historical Society on the WW100 project at the Nelson Museum.

All historical type groups from the Nelson Province met on 15th February 2015 at the property of Christine Grieder called Willow Bank. Christine and her husband have put together an eclectic collection of historical buildings into a village like setting lovingly restoring them as well.

There is a Brethren Church, the Stoke Jail, a gardeners cottage as well as a boat building yard and a forestry mill. They are filled with the furniture and paraphernalia of their time and some buildings have become something other than their original purpose.

The main reason for the afternoon was to meet like minded people and share our aims and ambitions and the problems we have in retaining members, getting local councils to acknowledge their history and contribute in maintaining it to name just two. We also shared our successes. The Collingwood Museum Trust run a small but vibrant museum and run re-enactments of local history.

The Golden Bay Museum in Takaka is well supported by the people of the Bay in the way of people contributing models, doing research and being a volunteer on the front desk.

The Waimea Historical Association has just produced a book and helped TDC place a plaque on the library in Richmond about the man who gave much of the land for public buildings in Richmond.

The Tapawera Historical Group had a big day which kicked off the WW100 commemorations in the form of an army camp to show off the symbol of the local army regiment-the 12ths who trained at Tapawera.

The Nelson Historical Society is the biggest group and works with the Provincial Museum and the City Council on exhibitions and heritage displays and events as well as their monthly meetings.

The Motueka group talked about their historical journals and their upcoming publication on the Present Wharf, calling for photographs the other groups might have.

There was a call to join together again in 2017 when the Nelson Province celebrates 175 years of European settlement.

Presidents of Historical Groups in Nelson Province, Motueka President Tim Rich on left back

Robin McGregor in Willowbank Village street

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