Each year new treasures are collected by museums all around the world and ours is no different.

In the past year, a variety of items have been donated to the Ashburton Museum and Historical Society’s collection, which is housed and cared for by the Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum.

The treasured objects, archives and photographs on display are a selection of items that were assessed, accepted and preserved by our collections team in 2024.

Although these items have all been collected for their significance to the Whakatere Ashburton region, each item has its own unique history to share.

Sharing Histories is an annual exhibition of the previous year’s new treasures. The selection for this year’s exhibition includes work apparel, a treasured family lantern, business records, a lodge memento, photographs of local people enjoying life and a 19^th century swinging kettle.

All items have been collected for the purpose of education, research, and to preserve and share our local history and stories.

Join us for the formal opening of this exhibition on Sunday 23 March at 2pm. This will coincide with the opening of Land, Sea and Air.

Image: Electric Chinese lantern, made of carved wood and painted glass panes depicting motifs of dragons, birds, flowers, plants, and butterflies, 1950-1980. AM&HS Collection. Ref: 07.2024.0066.1a-h