On Wednesday last week we were invited to attend an awards ceremony for our daughter who is studying at Massey University, Wellington.
The venue was in a building that takes me back to my early childhood years in Wellington where Mum and Dad, especially Dad, would take us on Sunday afternoon visits.
The building was the old Dominion Museum. Now apparently earthquake strengthened and used fully as a University facility.
Thankfully the strengthening and renovations have seen many of the features of this wonderful old building left for visitors, staff and students to enjoy.
The camera was not doing well in the very low light but here are some photos I took during our visit.
Kiwis on the stair rails
Surveying plaques
The Great Hall where all the Waka and Whares and Maori taonga were once displayed but where students sit exams now. It has a very high ceiling.
Beautiful tiling in the Tea Gardens
Door grills leading off the Great Hall
This building holds so many happy memories of time spent learning and exploring ( sliding drawers open to reveal gorgeous rare butterflies, examples of native insects, exhibitions of fish and ocean life and so much else) with my Dad who loved it all too. As a young parent I took my children to this Museum and they recall their favourite places, the sounds and smells too.
New Zealand’s national museum is now on Wellington’s waterfront and is called Te Papa, or Our Place.
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Hi Lynley – We were just saying the otehr day that we miss being able to visit this lovely building. Thankyou for sharing your photos – I’m particularly glad to see the beautiful tiles have been saved.
It is a beautiful building full of wonderful “finds” and so many memories for me. Those revolving doors at the main entrance are still there too.
I wonder if you could ring and ask to visit some time?
I’m pleased to know the old Museum building is being put to good use, with many of its features still on display.
It is being well used and has been lovingly restored with so many old features kept.
How wonderful that the old building is still there and being put to good use. I have so many memories of visiting our Canterbury Museum as a child. I don’t go there much anymore but I am very glad it is still there. Do you think the tiles are the same as the ones we have in our New Regent Street? http://silkannthreades.wordpress.com/2014/04/09/4567/#comments Congratulations to your daughter . š