Following on from David Verran's feature in our Feb 2022 issue which detailed the long history behind the Devonport Museum, Alastair Fletcher talks to Liz Cannon about how the Museum has continued to grow as a thriving, local historical hub.
Founded in 1977, the Devonport Museum is today a voluntary society located in the beautifully restored local Victorian Presbyterian church based in the tranquil environs of Takararo/Mt Cambria Reserve. The purpose of the Devonport Museum and Historical Society is to collect, conserve and record stories and items for local history displays, collections and databases, as well as providing recreational, educational and research opportunities. They aim for credibility, sustainability and community involvement, and recognise the support Devonport Borough Council, North Shore City and Auckland Council have given in the development of this wonderful community asset.
During the first decade of the 21st century, emphasis was placed on recording databases and displaying items from their collections for visitors to enjoy during weekend opening hours for the public and for privately arranged group tours outside of public opening hours. The office extension was opened in 2005. Then, based on a single original photo of the old church, the committee restored the façade of the building to the former Victorian detail which involved painstakingly replicating the carving, metalwork and towers. A sprinkler system, heritage garden shed and access ramp were also added with Rotary, North Shore Heritage Trust, Council, ASB and Lotteries providing the finance for these improvements.
In 2009 Rod Cornelius stepped down as President of the committee after his long, valuable service. He continues as a committee member and volunteer, adding the museum's extensive photographic collection to the databases it holds. Rod nominated weekend volunteer, Alastair Fletcher as his successor and thus the reins were passed to the current President. Having retired from 40 years' teaching and with a background in education and anthropology, Alastair arrived on the Shore in 1948, and with his Auckland family history dating from 1842, his deep interest in local history has continued and developed.
Joining a team of diverse local historian enthusiasts with a range of skills and time available was an interesting challenge, but Alastair celebrates the fact that the dedicated committee and volunteers remain the backbone of the Museum. The core group of active members has been largely retained and added to, as needs are recognised and skilled people become available, and the team was able to sustain a roster of volunteers to open at weekends. However, to open during weekdays required wider thinking, and a contracted research and administrative assistant role was created, the position first held by Celia Walker and currently by Anna Clarke. A depth of skills and local knowledge has been brought to the role and has enabled an extension of the Museum's opening hours to include three mornings a week in addition to weekends, during normal times. The team also welcomes contracted researchers for specific projects: Jeremy Robinson works regularly on the heritage plaques the museum places around Devonport, and the considerable skills of Peter Weeks have been utilised on displays for local school celebrations, as well as the boat-building and Victoria Road displays.
During the past decade, the team has built an extra gallery and archive room at the rear of the building which houses a small theatre, additional display space and dry storage. The kitchen and bathroom have been upgraded, as have the computers, and fibre connection, heating and security cameras have been installed. Satellite displays, curated for display in the Devonport ferry wharf and the former Council building, are currently in storage. The Museum's driveway, herb garden, cottage garden and rear rockery gardens have been lovingly restored and refreshed, supported by Auckland Council Parks, and now provide a calm and tranquil setting that befits the beauty of the building. A stunning white camellia was donated and has been planted to commemorate 1893, when universal suffrage in NZ was granted. Alongside the Devonport Peninsula Trust, the society also celebrated Children’s Day for several years with a popular Treasure Hunt and games at the museum.
The Heritage Plaques programme was launched in 2015 with plaques researched and donated to local schools and churches, and a circuit of historical properties and private houses was created around Takarunga /Mt Victoria. The development of the museum's local genealogical database has resulted in the entry of an impressive 35,000 names to date. Support for the restoration of the heritage cemetery on Albert Road has been led by Gail Lyons, and the society has supported the local production of a film on the history of Church St which can be viewed in the Museum's theatre. The team was honoured with a 'Heritage Champion' award from the Local Board, and accepted the offer of a supported makeover by the TV series, Heritage Rescue. This involved a full internal repaint by volunteers and a refresh of the layout and displays. Bookmarks, posters and a promotional slide presentation shown at the Victoria Theatre were added.
The Devonport Museum and Historical Society has been able to continue to develop and sustain this treasured community asset with financial support from two sources; the Local Board and a family bequest. The most important funding source is the $20,000 a year provided through consecutive Local Boards, for which a detailed monthly accountability process is strictly followed. The second source is the interest gained from a single significant family bequest invested with ASB, subject to recent limited income. The museum doesn't charge guests for entry, but asks only a gold coin donation/koha from visitors. The team continues to run as a voluntary organisation, providing and maintaining their large heritage building, fitted with appropriate equipment and security, and with significant insurance and inspections. They have developed storage and exhibits effectively, subsidise school and street heritage displays, and are currently conserving a large heritage mural for permanent display in a sports club. The team continues to actively seek further items to share through rotating displays and are always happy to talk through ideas for potential new displays.
All are welcome to come along for a visit to spend time browsing through the museum and learn about our local history. Follow the timeline from the eruption of Rangitoto and the arrival of the Tainui canoe through to subsequent significant dates. View the relief map of the land and marvel at the special models of local houses, boats and Bean Rock. Experience the faithfully-represented Victorian room and compare 1900 life in Devonport with life today. Check out the development of the Victoria Road shops over the years, and the many boat-building sites. Look at the genealogies of early settlers, and share your personal stories or any information you may have on your own family who settled here back in the day. Challenge yourself and others with the hands-on old-fashioned games, typewriter and instruments you are welcome to try for yourselves.
For Alastair and the team, providing the only community museum in this Local Board area continues to be a very worthwhile journey. Most of all, it is the people they meet, and their stories, which make it so rewarding; working with other community groups, the delight families have in sharing experiences, the recognition older people have and the wonderment of younger guests as they experience items and scenes from earlier years, and the discoveries and connections the researchers make with people. School children and guests new to the museum all find surprise and insight when they visit. Continually striving to develop sustainability and access, achieved through trust in fulfilling their community role, Devonport Museum warmly welcomes your shared contributions and visits.
Interested in finding out more or getting involved? The team is actively seeking:
Devonport Historical and Museum Society
Cambria Reserve, 33a Vauxhall Rd, Devonport
09 445 2661
info@devonportmuseum.org.nz
www.devonportmuseum.org.nz
Normal opening hours:
Weekends 2pm-4pm, Tues-Thurs 10am-12pm
Other times by appointment
Admission is free (a small donation/koha is always appreciated)
Wheelchair accessible, ample car parking.
