Project Ark Southland

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Project Ark Southland Digitising Southland's museum collections - currently on hiatus. Please contact museums directly.
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We are a small team of roving museum professionals helping small museums in Southland to care for and digitise their collections. We are currently at Te Hikoi Museum and the previous team was at Wyndham and Districts Museum. All images from 2021 onwards were taken by, and are credited to, Eve Welch, unless otherwise stated. Photos taken 2020 and prior were taken by the former photographer. Links to relevant eHive records will be posted in the caption for each photo.

Beach time with Mark during our last week at Te Hikoi - we needed the fresh air after a full-on morning of packing up. F...
27/06/2023

Beach time with Mark during our last week at Te Hikoi - we needed the fresh air after a full-on morning of packing up. From next week, it'll be a new chapter, though Josh will be staying on to keep working with the amazing crew of volunteers. For the rest of us, we sure are gonna miss these lunch time shenanigans ❤️ xx

Last week we lost our dear friend and volunteer extraordinaire Hugh Brown. Hugh was involved with Te Hikoi long before w...
22/06/2023

Last week we lost our dear friend and volunteer extraordinaire Hugh Brown. Hugh was involved with Te Hikoi long before we were on the scene – 25+ years – and he was an incredible person. He made our jobs easier with his smiles and stories and his incredible packing. He was a true gentleman in every sense of the word. We adored his company, coversation, and nimble sense of humour. He wasn't just a museum gem - he also kept us well feed with his excess courgettes and cherry tomatoes. His spirit and hard work will never be forgotten. We loved working with you Hugh, you'll always be incredibly dear to us. Rest easy ❤

Happy Easter friends xx Here's a stunner from our local last night 🙌
06/04/2023

Happy Easter friends xx Here's a stunner from our local last night 🙌

The glamorous side of the job strikes again; pre work backdrop washing
26/03/2023

The glamorous side of the job strikes again; pre work backdrop washing

Well, it is a very pretty building, so 🤷‍♀️
25/03/2023

Well, it is a very pretty building, so 🤷‍♀️

Panky is still adorable, but going by some of his old school photos that we've found recently, he was once a bona-fide r...
21/03/2023

Panky is still adorable, but going by some of his old school photos that we've found recently, he was once a bona-fide ragamuffin

Sam's workshop is still filling up, but there are places available, this Saturday (18 Mar), 10:30 - 1pm. If you have tre...
14/03/2023

Sam's workshop is still filling up, but there are places available, this Saturday (18 Mar), 10:30 - 1pm. If you have treasures to care for, this is the workshop for you. Sam will help you create a museum worthy box for a small object or book, and will discuss caring for your bigger at-home treasures like garments, framed photos, etc. Sam is donating her time to this event so the $30 attendance fee helps Te Hikoi Southern Journey. Materials are provided and included in the price. For bookings or questions: [email protected]

Kia ora whanau 😍 This beautiful hooman is our technician Sam Chandler. She's hosting a workshop next weekend at Te Hikoi...
11/03/2023

Kia ora whanau 😍 This beautiful hooman is our technician Sam Chandler. She's hosting a workshop next weekend at Te Hikoi Southern Journey. You can learn all about the best way to care for your taoka / treasures at home, whatever they may be, photos, garments, ceramics... Sam is a wealth of knowledge and will teach you how to best care for things so they last many lifetimes. If you bring a small item, you can get some hands on too, making a custom box to house your treasure. Sam is volunteering her time for this event as part of Heritage Month, with the entirety of the $30 attendance fee going to Te Hikoi as a fundraiser. All materials for your custom box will be supplied. You can register or email Sam with questions at: [email protected]
Saturday 18 March, 1030 - 1

Our team trip last night to Eastern Cemetery with Lloyd Essler. A great tour, thanks Lloyd, very interesting! Added bonu...
10/03/2023

Our team trip last night to Eastern Cemetery with Lloyd Essler. A great tour, thanks Lloyd, very interesting! Added bonus - bumping into Hugh's grandparents.

Amber and Sam working on 'Our Favourite Things', a pop-up for Heritage Month, tomorrow, Saturday, at Te Hikoi. Sarah and...
03/03/2023

Amber and Sam working on 'Our Favourite Things', a pop-up for Heritage Month, tomorrow, Saturday, at Te Hikoi. Sarah and Amber will be on site to chat about the project so far and show you some highlights. Jump over to Te Hikoi Southern Journey and scroll down for details, and check out our other upcoming events with Te Hikoi, a photography workshop and object care workshop. Hope to see you soon 😍

Wow, big love to the National Library et al for putting on a brilliant workshop today. Valerie Love did a great job of c...
16/02/2023

Wow, big love to the National Library et al for putting on a brilliant workshop today. Valerie Love did a great job of cramming us full of information and ideas, in an entertaining and engaging way - ngl we were worried it might be a bit dry and technical but boy were we wrong! We got so much out of today it really was invaluable, can't rave enough! 👌💪🤗❤️🎉🦹‍♀️

Rosemary and Sam in the zone 😊😊 Happy workmates enjoying some beautiful clothes today
09/11/2022

Rosemary and Sam in the zone 😊😊 Happy workmates enjoying some beautiful clothes today

Josh choosing fabric for a movember shirt 😉
01/11/2022

Josh choosing fabric for a movember shirt 😉

Amber for Scale 😝
20/10/2022

Amber for Scale 😝

Things are getting lacy over here.
06/10/2022

Things are getting lacy over here.

23/09/2022

That's a no from Sam 🤣

SuperSam strikes again 👌💪
22/09/2022

SuperSam strikes again 👌💪

13/09/2022

Ngā Rā o te Wiki featuring reo slightly better than video editing skills 😝

Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori : Te mahere, te kura, te matua, the map, the school, the father. We don't have a photograph of Ge...
12/09/2022

Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori : Te mahere, te kura, te matua, the map, the school, the father. We don't have a photograph of George Pearce, but his appearances in court are recorded in the Western Star newspapers of the time, so we know a little of his story. The year was 1886: George wanted the best for his kids, and as such they attended the school at Ōraka (Colac Bay), which was at that time known as the Native School. George was ordered by the Education Board to enroll his children at the other school, so he appeared in court to explain that they were in school, doing very well, and he was pleased with the instruction they were receiving. Furthermore, they were learning Te Reo Māori which George was happy about. George made several appearances in court arguing for his children's rights to stay at the Native School where his daughter hoped she might one day become a teacher.
Like George 140 years ago, we're friends with Te Reo Māori and we value the importance of Te Ao Māori in the past, present, and future of Aotearoa. Like George's children, we're still learning so bear with us as we mix some kupu in this week in celebration of Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori 🙂

08/09/2022

Amberol cylinders 🥳

05/09/2022

Pics or it didn't happen 🤣 Amber and Eve braving a flurry ❄❄❄

Researcher Lex with a treat this week; he selected this photo to catalogue, only to discover his own dad in the group. H...
03/09/2022

Researcher Lex with a treat this week; he selected this photo to catalogue, only to discover his own dad in the group. Happy Father's Day y'all 🤩

Nothing to see here 🙄
02/09/2022

Nothing to see here 🙄

Sarah thought she was reaching for a plain white cup 🤣🤣🤣
27/08/2022

Sarah thought she was reaching for a plain white cup 🤣🤣🤣

From a collection of negatives linked to the Froggatt family: 'Miss Froggatt' had these negatives developed at Winning C...
19/08/2022

From a collection of negatives linked to the Froggatt family: 'Miss Froggatt' had these negatives developed at Winning Chemist and Optician, Dee Street, Invercargill.

The Froggatt name came to Southland with brothers George, Caleb and Joshua. They were all born in Shropshire, England; George in 1839, Caleb in 1846, Joshua in 1847. There are many references to the brothers in old Western Star newspapers, available to view online via the National Library's Papers Past website. The brothers were involved in farming, bee keeping, local politics, and one became a solicitor. All three brothers married and had families, with George marrying prior to emigration and Caleb and Joshua marrying in New Zealand. Their descendants are too numerous to hazard a guess as to which branch of the family these photographs belong, nor whom might be the 'Miss Froggatt' labelled on the packet.

However, we know at least one member of the Froggatt family lived in Riverton Aparima - Alice May Froggatt. She was born in 1907, at Long Bush; the 1975 electoral roll lists her at 29 Leader St, Riverton. Alice's father was Joshua, the bee keeper.

From the Cyclopaedia of New Zealand:

FROGGATT, JOSHUA , Apiarist and Orchardist, Broadleaf Apiary, Long Bush. Mr Froggatt commenced bee farming in 1879, with two hives, and has gradually increased his stock, until, in 1904, he had 275 boxes, partly of the Langstroth, and partly of his own design. Between seven and eight thousand pounds weight of honey have been produced in a single year. Mr Froggatt has also a very fine variety of fruit trees, chiefly apples, and as much as three tons of fruit have been gathered in a season. The property consists of twenty-six acres of freehold, charmingly situated amidst native bush.

Mr Froggatt was born in 1847, in Shropshire, England, where he was educated and brought up on his father's farm. He arrived at Port Chalmers in 1864, by the ship “Ajmeer,” settled in Southland, and worked for a time at Edendale station, and was afterwards in Invercargill. He worked a small farm at Kennington for several years, and was subsequently employed in sawmilling and flax-milling. At a later period Mr Froggatt commenced farming at the Ridge, Long Bush, but sold out and bought his present property in 1896. He was married, in 1901, to a daughter of the late Mr Arthur Ward, of Drummond.'

📸 Photographs, Negatives, Froggatt family, Unknown photographer, 1925-1940, Te Hikoi Museum, RI.P0000.283, https://ehive.com/collections/3278/objects/1589164/photographs-negatives-froggatt-family

16/08/2022

Processing negatives - gotta love that moment when they spring to life

Amber found a super O L D thing 🤯 This coin, a Massa, was minted in ancient Sri Lanka, during the Kingdom of Polonnaruwa...
15/08/2022

Amber found a super O L D thing 🤯 This coin, a Massa, was minted in ancient Sri Lanka, during the Kingdom of Polonnaruwa. It is 800 years old, having been issued from 1200-1202AD. Hugh just checked it out and said, super deadpan, that it's just a little before his time 😝

Medals, medallions, medalish, medally, MANY medal-like things
02/08/2022

Medals, medallions, medalish, medally, MANY medal-like things

Recent highlights: Hugh on the cover of the local newspaper in celebration of his 25 years of volunteering, another edit...
28/07/2022

Recent highlights: Hugh on the cover of the local newspaper in celebration of his 25 years of volunteering, another edition of Amber pats ponies, and cute bubbas in the photo collection. Aww 🥰

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Standard Monday #bathtime #splishsplash #museumlife

Yet another example of exquisite packing from Sam. Here's a nice little custom she whipped up for these bottles #gentlydoesit #museumprofessional #godbottle #shipinabottle #bandinabottle

Amber's Valentines Day be like....🤮 A fleam, or phlebotome, is used for blood letting, with this example hopefully being a veterinary model #eww #happyvalentinesday #cataloguinglife #phlebotome #fleam #bloodletting

Please enjoy this clip of Amber going the extra mile #scots #quaich #cataloguinglife #tonguetwister #museumlife

He's always super 💪💪💪#workmates #guyswithgreatbeards #cataloguinglife

Scarah checklist: snakes, ghosts, skeletons, eyeballs, black, black, more black, sweet ink, dark aura, lurk mysteriously. Tis the season 🤣☠️👻👾🖤💣☻️ #Halloween #workmates❤️ #scarah

That's a no from Sam 🤣

Ngā Rā o te Wiki featuring reo slightly better than video editing skills 😝

Amberol cylinders 🥳

Pics or it didn't happen 🤣 Amber and Eve braving a flurry ❄❄❄

Processing negatives - gotta love that moment when they spring to life #120film #oldnegatives #museumbehindthescenes #cataloguinglife #rivertonaparima #rivertonmuseum

Today is a book-buying kind of day ☔💧🤓

New shelving who dis?! Te Hikoi is having a bit of a behind the scenes makeover, and we're stoked to be involved. #happydance

Some specialty packing for this black silk gem (c1870) including a bespoke cotton torso which Sam whipped up 👍

"Welcome to my nightmare" 🧛‍♀️🧟‍♀️🧛‍♂️🧟‍♂️🎅 Us lucky Arkers were allowed to create this cabinet of curiosities at @tehikoimuseum Featured are a few treasures already catalogued and a few oddities we're looking forward to working through later. The collection here at Te Hikoi is not lacking in terms of eclectica 😉

Monday morning landscape. Check back later for the 'after' 😎

One spreadsheet to rule them all – literally. When you’ve been around a while, you’ve had a few systems upgrades and changes over the years. All small museums have, that’s life. The nature of our project means we need to be super organised and methodical. No artefact left behind! Lucky for us Sarah is some kind of wizard and she has taken 80 years of records and stitched them into something that’s more supermodel than Frankenstein’s monster. Somehow she pulled off this monumental feat and made it look easy! We also audited the physical objects, so you name it, we find it, and quick (glass eye, box 134, bay 5, shelf c). This means we’re launching into the project here at Te Hikoi from a strong position – we can plan our workflow for optimum efficiency. Can anyone guess how many entries in Sarah’s humungous spreadsheet?

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Project Ark

Project Ark is a pilot regional project established to care for the museum collections of Southland. The project involves cataloguing and digitising thousands of items in Southland’s heritage collections. This regional approach to the museum collections is a first in New Zealand. Overseen by the Southland Regional Heritage Committee, the project is a collaboration between the Invercargill City Council, Southland and Gore District Councils.

The aim of the project is to publish photographs and research around collection items online using the platform eHive. This will allow people in Southland, New Zealand and the World to access the collections cared for by the museums in Southland. Museums are guardians of heritage for their communities and by publishing the collections online we are able to share the region’s history with the communities that they belong to. Whether you are in Waikawa, Tuatapere, Stewart Island, the North Island, or on the other-side of the World you will have the ability to search through the collections to connect with your history.

For the next few months we will be working with the top 50 items selected by museums throughout the region. Then, at the beginning of 2019, we will be working with the Wyndham Museum to get their entire collection online and packaged for the move to their new location, wherever that may be.