Recent & Past Exhibitions

The Art of the Book
21 Sept 2009 to 13 Dec 2009

An exhibition about old books may sound stuffy but The Art of the Book was anything but. The rare 1840 to 1960 books showed a humorous side to Russell’s social and cultural development.  For instance, in Ailments of the NZ Dairy Cow (1926) J E Tomlinson recommends a treatment for sprains which seems quite unreasonable tie the animal in a creek or pond for one hour twice daily.   Foulsham’s 1934 Almanack contains these predicitions, Crime will be active, and many cases of arson and highway robbery will occur.  A well-known actress will be attacked. (I wonder if anyone checked to see if this came true?) An amusing glimpse of historical reality.   Closed 13 December 2009.

Temporal Markers:defining Russell through maps and charts. Our recent winter exhibition illustrated how explorers recorded their pathways from around the world to Kororareka and once here settled and redefined the landscape, making this place their home. As old names and stories were replaced, new memories were created which highlighed how change was a constant that could be counted on. June 27- Sept 2009.

Tokotoko: The talking/walking stick explored the walking stick as an object of beauty, practicality and symbolism. Maori culture acknowledges the tokotoko as a emblem of leadership, power and mana, particularly when used on a Marae by kaumatua (elders). Non-Maori cultures often look at the walking stick as a symbol of weakness. 33 Tokotoko from all over the world were place together bringing those dynamics in to play. Our German and English visitors shared memories of walking sticks belonging to their families. Exhibition: March 11 to June 12, 2009.

Our Matariki exhibition from 22-26 June 2009, Celebrating Piupiu: Inspired by the Past gave keen Russell School pupils as well as visitors to our museum hands on experience of preparing harakeke (flax) for various stages of piupiu making. Under the tutelage of Russell's Ngati Rahiri weaver, Donna Baker they were inspired to apply what they had learned to making rope, weaving belts and ties for jewellery. Our piupiu is still drying in Russell Museums window. If you want to see how its coming along click here.

A Moment in History our summer 2008-2009 photographic competition asked entrants to Capture the Character of Russell's Historic 'Houses' with imagination. This proved a difficult task as it required the photographer to approach historical subject matter in an imaginative way. The winner was Julie Todd of Russell with her entry Old Timer. Highly Recommeded was Chrissy Smith, also from Russell with her entry Sacred History.

Maori Churches of Northland featured twenty-six stunning photographs of family and community churches in Northland by New Zealand photographer, Laurence Aberhart. Laurence began this series in 1982 and since then some churches have disappeared from the Northland landscape; for example the church at Pukepoto was blown down in a storm some years ago.
Neither fully of one culture nor the other the church interiors evidence the profound influence of Missionary Christianity on Maori. It is a powerful body of work which Russell Museum was privileged to be its first host in New Zealand. Laurence is not only known for his stunning photographs but for also keeping alive traditional analogue photography and fine art printing techniques. Exhibition dates: December 19 - March 10, 2009

What's Under The House?  The Blomfield Dig.
"One man's rubbish is another man's treasure." Artifacts from a Department of Conservation dig in 2000, on display in the Marie King Gallery gave a fascinating glimpse into early settler life in Russell in the 1800s. The Blomfield Dig, named after the last owner of the land, Les Blomfield, uncovered an amazing array of everyday items. What was once 'rubbish' to those early settlers now supplies us with a treasure trove of insights into the lives of Russell's early settlers.
Exhibition dates: June- December 2008

Past Exhibitions

A Marae for Russell - the story of Russell tangata- whenua (local people) to establish a marae in Russell portrayed through a textual exhibition of community newspaper items, the Kororareka Marae Society's records and photos.
Exhibition dates: June - Sept 2008.

Tio Reka/Sweet Oysters - the history of the oyster industry in the Bay of Islands and the impact other species of oysters, pollution, harvesting and demand have had on it. Exhibition dates: Feb - June 2008.

Te Ra Tahutahu/The Burning Day - remembering the fourth felling of the Flagstaff on Maiki Hill on 11 March 1845. Exhibition dates: Feb - June 2008.

Tall Ships - Maritime visitors to the Bay of Islands past and present.

A Kind of Fir - Kauri in the Bay of Islands.

Stephenson / Tiwene - is the story of an early bicultural family of Russell / Kororareka.

Fullers, Bay of Islands - a history.

Windy Harbour - the story of Whangamumu whaling station.

Not Granny's Attic - Russell Museum's first 50 years.

Harakeke - New Zealand flax.

Through the Lens of a Camera - Russell in the 1950s and 60s. Photos by Ian Hanlon.