Heritage buildings that make up part of the Waiuku Museum have received a $13,000 Franklin Local Board grant for their painting and conservation costs.
The Waiuku Museum was established more than half a century ago in the old fire station, with enthusiastic volunteers continuing to operate it today.
It houses permanent and changing exhibitions displaying Māori and early colonial artefacts that reflect the area’s maritime and agricultural past.
There is also a collection of historic buildings including Hartmann House, Pollok Cottage, the second Maioro School, a dairy, lock up and the old Anglican vestry.
Franklin Local Board Waiuku subdivision representative Sharlene Druyven says the facility is much-loved by the community, and the volunteers who maintain and run the service do a fantastic job of preserving the area’s past.
“But it is evident some of the buildings could do with a little bit of love, so the board has made a grant to help make that happen.
“We have an outcome that talks about ensuring our cultural heritage is expressed in our communities, and which references the promotion of local stories so that new residents and future generations can experience and understand our stories.
“Waiuku Museum can play a major part in making that happen.”
Alongside the preservation of history, the museum also offers help with local genealogy and historical research, caters to local schools and hosts other interested groups.”
