JACK MORGAN MUSEUM

NEWS FROM THE JACK MORGAN MUSEUM

2 October 2010

WE ARE OPEN!

... after a somewhat hectic week.

The maori taonga was blessed and brought into the museum the preceeding Sunday and is on display.

The heritage garden is well on the way, all planned and set out. A lot of the planting has been done and the sundial put up on Saturday, the first sunny day all week. The local gardending club have undertaken to build and maintain the gardens. They have also put up most of the money for it as well.

The men were busy building batten fences and Taranaki gates to go with the Teatree and Totara post and rail fence. Then a large stump appeared as well as an old timber framed grader.

We have a good roster of volunteers, so that is very encouraging.

What an achievement ... we can all be very proud of what we have achieved and the support we have had from the community.

THANK YOU EVERYONE!

The site before construction started

The site - before construction started

18 months later ...

The first paying customer - Jack Morgan!

The first paying visitors (Jack Morgan and some of the family) enter the displays

Mr & Mrs Jack Morgan and some of the family in the display galleries.

14 Sep 2010

Three and a half years ago, we dared to dream a dream, and build a museum to house Jack’s collection to help keep the history of our district alive. After much blood, sweat – and no real tears – but heaps of fun and hard work, this dream has finally been realised, and we will be open to the public for the first time on Saturday 2nd October.

To coincide with this, Bob McGregor the publican, has organised a band to play at the pub from mid day to create a festive atmosphere. Food will be available there also, so come along and listen to music after visiting the museum.

The museum will be open daily from 10am to 4pm, except Christmas day, Good Friday and ANZAC day morning.

Charges will be as follows:- Adults - $6; Children 5 to 15 years - $2; Family, which includes 2 adults and up to 3 children - $14; groups of 10 or more - $5 each.
We realise that some folk who may have already been through the museum, may want to take visitors through at a later date, so a “Friends of the Museum” pass will be available for $10 per year. The person named on the pass will have unlimited access to the museum for a year provided they have a paying visitor with them.

In our earlier news letters we solicited funds to help with the building of the museum. Donations of $200, $300 and $500 were sought for “buying a brick” where donors names would be etched on to a brick. We were so over whelmed with the response that the brick wall became impractical. This has been replaced by a glass column with names etched on to the glass. We are sure you will be happy with the different format.

We would welcome anyone who would like to help man the museum with us. It does not have to be daily or weekly – just when it suits you. You will not be on your own as we aim to have at least two on duty at once. It will be a fun and rewarding thing to do, and a chance to become involved with your community. A training day to run through the procedures is being held on Monday 20th October at 10am. To register your interest, phone Shirley Henwood, 4347479, or Ennis Francis 4339816 or email ennisanddave@slingshot.co.nz or just turn up on Monday.

Our sincere thanks to those who have donated money, materials, equipment, labour, time etc, and to the Whakapara Country Gardening Club members for helping create a heritage garden around the site.

Don’t forget to check out our web site www.jackmorganmuseum.co.nz It is updated regularly, but best of all, come and visit the museum and see what a great asset we have in our district.

See you there!!

11 July 2010

Official Opening of the Building.

On the 11th July the building was officially opened, to say thank you to all those who had been involved thus far.

What a frantic 3 months it had been. From a shell in mid April, the building was turned into a museum. A huge team effort, partitioned, lined & painted. Displays crated, built and painted, shelving constructed & painted. Cream separators hefted around into place. Stationary engines lifted by tractor and front end loader and transported to the museum, balanced and gently manouvered around with the help of a fork lift (in a museum!). 800 objects had been catalogued, cleaned, accessioned and photographed by an enthusiastic and happy group of local ladies. Clean up week transformed a building site into a museum.

Invitations had been sent to the ASB Charitable trust, Pub charities, Oxford Trust, Lion Foundation and Whangarei District Council along with all those whom had given cash donation, materials, services and labour. In all 280 replied to the affirmative.

On an overcast and bitterly cold day the crew gathered together a sound system, seating, cups, tables, rounded the sheep up out of the designated parking paddock. Thank goodness it had not rained. Once again the community rallied to assist with the catering. The hall with, cups, urns & chairs, Rugby club, cups and chairs.

The chairman welcomed the 260 people gathered, after a fine stint of piping by James Morris and Sam Moscrip, he gave an update of the progress to date and the future work to be done.

After the Mayor Stan Semenoff spoke, the building was blessed by Arnold Morgan. Lorraine, Jack’s wife spoke on Jacks behalf. Jack then cut the ribbon and declared the building open. 94 gold balloons were released, signifying Jacks 94 years. To the sound of the bag pipes all trooped into the museum.

What a proud day for Jack, the committee and community. Comments were really positive “I must come back when it is finished and open to the public” were heard many times.

After a welcome cuppa to warm up, many went to have a sausage from the BBQ and a bevy at the local to wind up a marvelous day. The Community Spirit Lives On.

The museum will be open to the public late September. Watch this space.

The museum is declared 'offically open' by Jack Morgan
Jack Morgan declares the museum 'officially open'