Our Treasures: Whangārei Museum s Lyceum Theatre part of city s cinema history
22 Feb, 2021 04:00 PM
5 minutes to read
West s Lyceum Pictures in Cameron Street in 1912 (Whangarei Museum 1990.27.3.43).
OUR TREASURES
Cinema in Whangārei has a history of more than 100 years. Our first theatre was the Theatre Royal. The earliest display of moving images was via a Projectoscope or Kinetoscope in 1898, two years after New Zealand s first cinema screening.
This was set up like a large magic lantern but with a reel system for rotating short lengths of nitrate film.
A backdrop of sound to the display would be provided by a phonograph or live musicians.
Our Treasures: Whangārei Museum s walking stick probably made by whaling ship seaman
15 Feb, 2021 04:00 PM
5 minutes to read
Where the body meets the knob, a Turks head knot, on the whalebone walking stick at Whangārei Museum.
Where the body meets the knob, a Turks head knot, on the whalebone walking stick at Whangārei Museum.
OUR TREASURES
Walking sticks or canes have been around as long as civilisation, not only for practical purposes such as walking or hiking but also for ceremonial use, to show status or authority. A nice hefty stick was a protection for early shepherds or travellers, to fend off robbers or animals.
Our Treasures: Floral centrepiece (epergne) in Whangārei Museum has strong local connection
1 Feb, 2021 04:00 PM
3 minutes to read
This epergne was a prize in the Whangārei Agricultural and Pastoral Show of 1927 and was won by D J Fraser for her flowers.
OUR TREASURES
Many Victorian dinner tables, particularly on special occasions, featured a large centrepiece ornament, usually containing ornate floral arrangements or sometimes food, sweets or bon bons as they were known. These ornaments were called epergnes (pronounced apern ), often made of silver, though could be made of glass, pottery or plate.
Generally, an epergne had a large central bowl or basket sitting on three to five feet, though there were many variations in style.
Our Treasures: Slate notebook at Whangārei Museum - how did it get here?
11 Jan, 2021 04:00 PM
4 minutes to read
The 150-year-old writing slate book from Radcliffe Estate Office, 1869 at Whangārei Museum; about the size of a cellphone (1969.18.7a). Photos / Supplied
The 150-year-old writing slate book from Radcliffe Estate Office, 1869 at Whangārei Museum; about the size of a cellphone (1969.18.7a). Photos / Supplied
OUR TREASURES
In around 3100 BC the earliest form of writing is believed to have begun in Mesopotamia. Clay tablets were used to make wedge shaped marks using a reed scribe which had been cut to form a nib shaped edge.
Whangārei Museum: Our Treasures: Lantern slides by Beattie & Sanderson on show
14 Dec, 2020 04:00 PM
4 minutes to read
One of the three Beattie & Sanderson lantern slides showing the presentation of Auckland Colours in the exhibition on until March at Whangārei Museum.
One of the three Beattie & Sanderson lantern slides showing the presentation of Auckland Colours in the exhibition on until March at Whangārei Museum.
OUR TREASURES
As you may have read in our current exhibition Magica Lanterna, magic lantern slides were affordable and widespread mediums for distributing news of famous people and important events through all reaches of the country.