East Coast Photograph Collection Receives National Recognition

The William Fitzgerald Crawford photographic collection at Tairawhiti Museum in Gisborne has been recognised on the national UNESCO Memory of the World Register. It is the first entry from Gisborne and the East Coast region.

The extensive collection of 5,000 glass plate negatives provides an exceptional record of the development of early Gisborne over four decades between 1874 and 1912.

Jane Wild, Chair of the UNESCO Memory of the World Trust, congratulates Tairawhiti Museum for their nomination. Commenting on their work she said: “The photographs provide a remarkable record of place, people at work and at play. Preserving this unique collection and digitising the images to share the story of Gisborne and its region is a large and vital commitment to our local and national stories.”

“Over one thousand images are online already. They are rich in information and artistry. With further digitisation more of the story of Tairawhiti can be shared.”

Crawford recorded the development of Gisborne, urban and rural businesses, social and civic activities, portraits and Māori events.

The Memory of the World Register contains 56 inscriptions of nationally, and internationally, important documentary heritage collections. These include Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the suffrage petitions, the papers of Katherine Mansfield and Sir Edmund Hillary, as well as the first book published in te reo, architectural, cultural and religious records. There are photographic, manuscript, moving image and sound resources from institutions across New Zealand.

A function in Gisborne to celebrate the inscription is planned.

Further details:

UNESCO Memory of the World New Zealand Aotearoa – Register Inscription #56 William F Crawford

https://unescomow.nz/inscription/william-f-crawford-collection

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