Glentunnel Museum

Glentunnel Museum The Glentunnel Museum contains an extensive collection of items recording the history of the area wh

The Glentunnel Museum contains an extensive collection of items recording the history of the area which has seen much rural industrialism, particularly the pottery and brickworks. The museum has an extensive library of books written about the district and history of local service men who fought in WWI and WWII. Open Times: 1pm – 4pm Sundays daylight saving hours or by appointment

Contact Details: E: [email protected] P: 033182377

21/05/2026

Keys points from the Glentunnel Museum Incorporated recent meeting
• Timber has been purchased to revamp the tipping cart

• South Malvern Cemetery – we are waiting on information from the Selwyn District Council before further progress can be made on making /erecting a sign for the unmarked graves area. The SDC are planning on revamping the sign at the main entrance.

• Next working bee to be held on Sunday 7 June 1pm – 4pm

• Thanks to ex pupils, several names have been added to our collection of Glentunnel & South Malvern School photographs

• Cataloguing sessions – a great start has been made to sort documents and photographs into labelled storage boxes.

• Cataloguing sessions are held on the second and fourth Mondays on the month – 10am – 12 noon.

• The Committee has agreed to once again participate in the Christchurch Heritage festival in October. This year’s theme is Connections

• Although the Museum is closed on Sundays during the winter visitors are welcome to make an appointment by contacting us at [email protected]

• The next meeting will be the Museum’s A G M will be held 7.30pm Monday 22 June 2026 at the Museum.
New members are always most welcome.

Lest We Forget Sam Weastell son of George and Eliza Weastell of Glentunnel, was killed in action June 1917 and is buri...
19/04/2026

Lest We Forget
Sam Weastell son of George and Eliza Weastell of Glentunnel, was killed in action June 1917 and is buried in the La Plus Dove Farm War Cemetery in Belgium not far from Ypres. He is remembered on the South Malvern Memorial Gates and the Honours Board in the Glentunnel Community Centre.

After WW1, the family of every serviceman killed received a bronze plaque of condolence, also known as the 'Dead Man's Penny' or 'Death Penny' or 'Widow's Penny'.
The design shows Britannia holding an olive wreath over the space for the dead man’s name. A growling lion stands at her feet, while a smaller lion can be seen at the lower edge, biting the German eagle. Empire sea power is represented by two dolphins. A sprig of oak suggests sturdy Britishness.
The man’s name was added without his rank. As with WW1 gravestones, all were seen as equal in death.

Looking for Volunteers to help with all aspects of keeping our museum “alive”.Computer skills not essential- just an int...
29/03/2026

Looking for Volunteers to help with all aspects of keeping our museum “alive”.
Computer skills not essential- just an interest in caring for your local heritage
Enquiries - contact: Pam -3182377 or [email protected]

21/03/2026

Key points of our recent Museum meeting held 16 March 2026
• Progress is being made on improving the water system
• Tipping cart- Timber is ready for collection to repair this exhibit
• Information regarding the 'rescue’ the cart from Surveyors Gully were presented
• eHive online cataloguing system subscription due in 2027. An application to be made to the SDC Heritage fund to pay for next 5 years to enable continuation of this valuable project.
• Working bee to be held Sun 19 April 1pm – 3pm
• Museum to open on Sundays until end of April – winter opening by appointment
• Photos presented to Museum: Round Stables building which was located on main road to Glenroy near the current army depot buildings and one of Jim Turner – a long time employee at Lake Coleridge Power Station
• Signs to be made for some of the larger items on display
• Group booking – Leeston Senior Citizens group – 26 March
• Advertise for more volunteers to assist at the Museum
• Working bees to be held 1st Sun of each month during winter.
• AGM date 22 June 2026
• Sunday Hosts:
29 March – Karen & Mike; Easter Sunday – Brianna Daniel & Pam.
12 April – Anne & Glenn; 26 April- Pam & Bob

21/03/2026

Opening Hours
Sundays 1pm - 4pm until the end of April 2026
Winter hours May-September by appointment
Contact:
[email protected]
ph. 033182377

Help... This mystery object has been found in a local backyard. It is made out of copper and is quite heavy .Does any...
22/02/2026

Help... This mystery object has been found in a local backyard. It is made out of copper and is quite heavy .Does anyone have any idea or information as to what it is and it's use?

22/02/2026

Key points of the Glentunnel Museum meeting held 16 Feb 2026
• Insulators frame to be sprayed with clear varnish
• Water tank installation preparation underway
• Over hanging trees to be trimmed
• Timber to restore the tipping cart to be purchased
• Sign for South Malvern unmarked graves area – further information to be obtained from the SDC
• South Malvern Cemetery folder now available in the Museum which contains maps, database of the main cemetery and unmarked graves areas, and brief history notes
• Selwyn History Heritage Network meeting to be held 27 Feb at Te Ara Atea- topics included are Selwyn Heritage Strategic plan and eHive subscriptions
• Donation by Robert Verrall of the book “Lake Coleridge, the power, the people, the land” by Rosemary Britten.
• Signs to be made for some of the large items on display and Lake Coleridge exhibit area.
• Cataloguing sessions are held 10am to noon every 2nd Mon of the month.
• Museum will continue with Sunday opening until end of April 2026.
• Sunday Hosts are as follows:
01 March - Anne & Bob, 08 March -Jane & Glenn, 15 March - Rory and Bob, 22 and 29 March- Karen & Mike, 05 April Easter Sunday, Brianna, Daniel & Pam
Next Meeting: 7.30pm Monday 16 March 2026

22/01/2026

Glentunnel Museum Incorporated
Key points from the 19 Jan 2026 Committee meeting
• Organisation underway for installation of a water tank and pump
• Front fence – post holes to be dug
• Staining of front ramp has been completed
• Discussions have taken place with S.D.C. regarding the SDC position on Public Liability / Museum Insurance / Maintenance for the Museum
• Timber to be purchased to stabilize the tipping cart frame
• A successful visit by a group of Morris Dancers who also performed at the Glentunnel Community Centre
• G Gordon – visited to research her ancestors of the Colville/ Leeming/ Blair families.
• A collection of insulators has been placed on a frame for easier viewing
• A box of Selwyn Rugby Club paper memorabilia has been donated
Calendar for January and February
• Sunday opening 1pm – 4pm
Hosts:
25 Jan- Bob & Jane: 01 Feb- Karen & Mike: 08 Feb- Jane & Glenn:
15 Feb- Anne & Rory: 22 Feb- Pam & Barney: 01 Mar- Anne & Bob:
Cataloguing sessions are held Mon 10 am – midday on Jan 26; 09 Feb; 23 Feb.
Next meeting: 16 February 2026
Residents are welcome to attend our meetings and cataloguing sessions.

10/12/2025

A huge thank you to those who have sorted out the names to the faces in the 1976 Selwyn Rugby team. Names are now recorded for posterity in the Glentunnel Museum! 😀😀😀😀

Who were these young hopefuls and coaches - members of the 1976 Selwyn Rugby team? We'd love to add some names ...
08/12/2025

Who were these young hopefuls and coaches - members of the 1976 Selwyn Rugby team? We'd love to add some names ...

30/10/2025

Key points of the Committee meeting held 20 October.
• Waiting on information from the Selwyn District Council regarding Public Liability Insurance.
• Work in progress re installation of a water tank and pump to improve water supply
• Committee members volunteered their assistance at the Hororata Swap meet and are most grateful for the donation received.
• Group booking by Ian Harrison and his brother who were born in Glentunnel. They really enjoyed their visit to the Museum sharing stories about several family items on display.
• “History in Stone” South Malvern Cemetery tour 12 Oct 2025 –Christchurch Heritage Week event.
A very successful event organized by Sarah Davy Selwyn Libraries Historian, Lynda Seaton and Glentunnel Museum Committee members.
Lynda Seaton took the group of 35 on a tour of some of the graves explaining the meanings of the symbols used on headstones along with a brief history of various early settlers and how the social climate of the time effected their lives.
The visitors returned to the Museum for afternoon tea and spent time exploring exhibits and asking questions.
• School folder – is being updated. Names are being added to several of the school jubilee photos. Any further photos to included are most welcome.
• Donations to the Museum’s collection include:
photos of the Army exercise at Glentunnel Domain pre-WW1, keys to original McSkimming’s office clock,
the book History of the Glentunnel Domain compiled by John S Henry in 1974
• FFP – visit 22 Sept 2025 extinguishers checked
• Pest controller – visit 14 October 2025 – traps, checked, battery replaced
• Light in the front room has been fixed.
• A promotional board is to be designed.
• Visit by Susie Best, archivist from Tuatapere Museum which is also run by volunteers. This group are regular followers of our page.
• Sunday hours 1pm – 4pm Hosts
02 Nov – Pam & Barney: 09 Nov – Anne & Bob: 16 Nov – Rory & Glenn:
23 Nov- Karen a & Mike: 30 Nov- Anne
Next Meeting: 7.30pm Monday 17 November 2025

Address

3 Philip Street
Glentunnel
7638

Telephone

+6433182377

Website

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