Picton past and present captured for posterity
Picton Museum board member Wayne Pearce and curator Philippa Turley believe the new exhibition will preserve memories for the future. Photo: Paula Hulburt
Her hair is carefully coiffed beneath a hat adorned with voile and flowers – pinned in place against the sea breeze.
Two friends sit alongside in the wooden rowboat, all long dresses and proud posture.
The old photo is part of a new exhibition set to open at Picton Museum soon, capturing a week in the lives of the people who call the community home.
Curator Philippa Turley came up with the idea to create a pictorial record of people’s lives for future generations.
Paired with photos from previous eras, People of Picton gives a comparison to past times.
“I woke up in the middle of the night with it [the idea]. I’d been thinking about not having any images because people are taking them digitally and putting them online and they get lost.
“Getting a record of the people and what they are doing in their lives gives us a record for our archives.”
The museum originally opened as the Smith Memorial Museum on November 28 1964.
As at the opening in 1964 the society was known as the Picton Branch of the Marlborough Historical Society with the Picton Historical Society formally incorporated in 1976.
It offers visitors a treasure trove of history.
From part of the lamp glass from the Brothers Lighthouse in Cook Strait to a wheelchair from the long-vanished Picton Hospital, there are plenty of objects to see.
The harpoon gun from New Zealand’s last whaling ship, Orca, tells an important story of the region’s past, joining other exhibits to paint a picture of a bygone era.
But safeguarding the present day is important too, explains Philippa.
“Interestingly, what people do doesn’t change that much. We see an old photo of a man playing with dogs on the foreshore and a new photo of people with their dogs.
“We live our lives just the same, it’s really just the technology that’s different.”
The new photographic record captures the lives of locals at work and play across one week in May.
People sent in their photos which now grace the museum walls.
Picton Historical Society member and museum supporter Wayne Pearce says he is keen to see more locals make the most of the foreshore space.
“One of the biggest things I’ve found is getting people more aware of the museum and create more local enthusiasm.
“It’s a great place and it’s not just for tourists.”
The museum is open most days from 10am – 3pm. Entry fees: Adult: $5, $1 per child, an $3 per student.