Stepping Out: Social Dances in Otaki

Swing band at the Railway Theatre, c.1939

‘Stepping Out’ is the new exhibition at the Otaki Museum which celebrates the history of dance and socialising. This light-hearted exhibition recalls country halls, fabulous frocks, debutantes, American marines and romances formed on the dance floor.

If you remember local dances you are invited to bring in your dresses, shoes, diamantes or photos and add your presence to the exhibition.

You might want to look through some of our photos and help identify some of the name-less faces.

You might just want to remember the halcyon days of socialising and dancing.

Whatever your reason - ‘step out’, come in and enjoy the old-time tunes and
festive atmosphere!

On until mid-June 2012.

Main Street Exhibition - extended

Our Main Street exhibition is going so well we've decided to extend it for a few more weeks. People are really enjoying seeing old places and faces they remember from "the good old days".

The old Main Street looking west past the Central Hotel (right). The Edhouses building is the two-storey brown building (centre).

New Exhibition - Life in the Gorge - Opens 30 April 2011

LIFE IN THE GORGE

Journey with us up the Otaki Gorge to explore its rugged terrain and pioneering past

Otaki Forks, painting by Len Cutten (1985), Jim and Kate Carrroll Collection

30 April – 30 July 2011
Thursday, Friday, Saturday
10am – 2pm
Free Admission

Latest Exhibition - Ernest Papps 13 November-23 November 2010

News from Otaki Museum

Now that the sun's finally arrived, we've decided to extend our summer exhibition. Already more than 600 people have been through the doors, including visitors from as far afield as Boston and Nottingham. “Lovely display of local history”, “a rush of old memories” and “very meanage!” were just some of the comments made by those who visited.

One of the exhibition highlights is a display of more than 30 historic photographs, telling the story of places along the Pipi Trail, including the Telegraph Hotel, Te Wananga o Raukawa, All Saints Church, Rangiatea, Tainui Marae and St Mary's, Pukekaraka (150 years old in 2009!).

The recently launched Pipi Trail brochure makes it easier than ever to find a new way to get out there and explore beautiful and historic Otaki. Brochures can be collected free of charge from the museum desk.

The exhibition is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 10am-2pm until the 5th of April, 2010.

Latest Exhibion - The Changing Face of Te Horo

Te Horo - 8 August -31 October

Over seventy people attended the Changing Faces of Te Horo opening on 7 August. Lifelong Te Horo resident Betty Empson, helped open the event with a talk about the land and the local people. Our guests mingled and enjoyed delicious nibbles provided by Te Horo's famous Red House Cafe. Feedback was very positive!

The exhibition team has created a very atmospheric venue, complete with haybales, a postbox and even a Te Horo stonewall! As well as looking fabulous, there's also loads of information and some great images.

The exhibition will be on show until 31 October, giving members of the public a chance to find out more about Te Horo and its story.

Many thanks to our kind sponsors and all those who worked on the project.

Links to Te Horo

Wiki

Te Horo School

Te Horo Map

Te Horo Statistics