Rangitikei Heritage Group – Rangitikei Day – 18th & 19th May 2013

For those with a Historical interest or those just wanting a great day out, get ready for this years “Rangitikei Day” - when all 5 of the Museums in the Rangitikei will be open from 10am to 4pm on both Saturday the 18th and Sunday the 19th of May 2013, plus a special talk in Turakina on the Sunday. This will be the 5th year the event has run, each year seeing a gradual development, with increasing numbers visiting the districts museums. This year has an additional draw-card, with the launch of the brand new 20 page “Rangitikei Heritage Brochure” which has been put together by committee members of the Rangitikei Heritage Group, and produced in partnership with National Services Te Paerangi, Te Papa.

The Rangitikei Heritage Group is made up of representatives of all 5 of the Rangitkei Museums from Bulls, Marton, Hunterville, Mangaweka, and Taihape, plus associated members from Turakina, the Waiouru National Army Museum, and members of the Whanganui Regional Heritage Trust. The group have been meeting for around six years, and first produced a small brochure to commemorate the 100 years of the joining up of the main trunk railway line. Since then various activities, inter-museum visits, speeches, talks and training courses have been enjoyed by the group’s membership and guests alike.

Rangitikei day.
“Rangitikei Day was developed as the group felt it needed a time to remember and celebrate all that has happened to get us from those early days of settlement, to being the (usually) lush and wonderful place that the Rangitikei is to live in today” said Richard Aslett, current Chairman of Rangitikei Heritage. “The date is the weekend that falls the closest to the actual date when the Deed of Purchase was signed, and the first of the Rangitikei blocks were made available for purchase, back on the 18th of May 1849”.

Launch of the brand new Rangitikei Heritage Brochure:
“It has been a good few months of running around, taking new photographs and gathering existing images, both by email and actual historic photos, scanning and resizing all these, and then sending off to the graphic designers” said Richard. There has also been lots of two-ing and froing between the designer and the committee to get all the facts, and the feeling of this brochure just right. “We wanted something which presented an atmospheric historical perspective, yet had a modern appeal, to get people of all ages to pick up the brochure and have a read. I think we have achieved this, with what has turned out to be a stylish and very interesting brochure, highlighting many remarkable and historical facts about personalities, places, and incidents that have happened in and around the Rangitikei” said Richard

The Chairman’s involvement with the Rangitikei Heritage Group.
“I first went along as there was a meeting in Mangaweka, found I really enjoyed the subject matter, and the company of the other members, and then found myself getting gradually drawn more and more into the Rangitikei’s wondrous history!” said Richard. The group, and the individual museums, are always keen to hear from new people who may wish to become involved. The museums rely on volunteers to staff, run and administer each museum. It can be a lot of fun. “I must be enjoying it, as I have been involved for around 5 years now, and just a couple of years ago was made chairman of the group!”

Museums. What each Museum is doing.
The Mangaweka Museum will be doing Bily Tea’s over the camp fire, with fresh baked jam cakes, all for a gold coin donation, plus there will be displays and other activities going on to entertain the younger and older attendees. “There can be a bit of a perception that Museums are stuffy, boring places, and this weekend is a way of having a bit of fun, while soaking up some of the rich and diverse heritage that the Rangitikei has to offer” said Richard. Mangaweka Museum is housed in what was the Mangaweka Railway Station Building, since relocated from the side of the main trunk line, and now sits in enjoyable grassed surrounds, on the side of State Highaway One. It is usually open on a Sunday afternoon, and also by appointment, yet over the “Rangitikei Day” week-end, like all the 5 other of the districts Museums, it will be open from 10am to 4pm both Saturday and Sunday. Bulls Museum will have a freshly revamped display on World War One focussing on the Horses that served there and in other combat, and quite aptly also have horseshoe throwing for fun. Marton and district Historical Society plan to mount a small photo-frame slide show of various photos of images of the historical development of Marton and surrounds. Hunterville Settlers Museum will have its usual displays housed in the former Courthouse, and Craigs Crib the old blacksmiths shop, plus Roppers Cottage displaying a full 1900’s dwelling. Taihape Museum and Rose Cottage plan to have a kids quiz, Horseshoe throwing for fun, and will be serving Marj’s famous Billy Teas. In Turakina, Roz Grant will be presenting an engaging and historical talk lasting approximately an hour on local History, Turakina being Rangitikei’s earliest European settlement. This will be held at 2pm on Sunday the 19th of May, at the Turakina Presbyterian Church. A cup of tea and a relaxed chat will follow, with a gold coin donation being appreciated from those attending.

Additional/individual details can be obtained from:
TURAKINA: