Collections

Tobacco Press donated by R Irvine Accession No. 268 Tobacco Cutter donated by Mrs Mary Whewell Accession No. 241 In the late 19th century, there was no tobacco-growing industry in New Zealand. It was all…

One of the earliest sewing machines in the Waikato. Originally the property of Mary McMillan.

Various Donors In our collection are several pairs of scissors for different specialised uses. These three examples are, from left to right – A pair of buttonhole scissors fitted with a swing out gauge between…

Donated by Miss Clare Wallis Accession No. 10799 Even after the advent of the sewing machine, girls learned at an early age to do fine hand sewing for making clothes. Here is a sampler of…

Our Cambridge Collection has Royal memorabilia going back to 1837 including a Queen Victoria Coronation Souvenir Pin Cushion and a Buzzy Bee to remind us of the young Prince William’s visit to New Zealand with…

Donated by Miss Annie Arnold Accession No. 52 This knife was given by Tim Sullivan to Mr John Arnold. Shortly afterwards Sullivan was killed by the Maori’s at Roto-o-Rangi, 24 April 1873.

Donated by Mrs H Griffiths Accession No. 51 Cast iron mortar and pestle, used for grinding solids into powder.

Donated by Mrs Olive Harman Accession No. 2343/1 An artificial Christmas tree, manufactured in the US Zone of post-World War II Germany. The bendable wire branches are each tipped with a red berry and wrapped…

Ladies one-piece bathing costume. Made of blue cotton knit fabric with yellow band trim on all edges, it is buttoned on one shoulder, has short legs and a skirt overlay.

Donated by Frances Grace Claridge nee Hicks Accession No. 184 This teapot, seen in a shop window advertising tea, was bought in Yorkshire by John and Margaret Allan. The Allans were from Scotland and left…