Museum celebrates 80 years

The Auckland War Memorial Museum is calling on Aucklanders to help celebrate its birthday.

The museum’s iconic building is turning 80, and staff are looking for historic photos and cherished memories to help them celebrate.

They are calling on people to send in their images and stories.

Built in 1929 to mark the end of World War One, the museum has watched young men and women leave to serve in another country.

Within its marbled corridors the stories, exhibitions and galleries have changed to reflect the world outside.

Over the last 80 years countless Aucklanders have visited the museum, taken photos and made memories. Everyone has a museum story: the first time they visited, perhaps a wedding, their favourite object or learning something new.

And now the museum wants to hear from you – especially if you’re 80 years old.

People of any age can send their memories of the museum and their images, be they Polaroid, film or digital.

All photos and stories will go into the draw to win prizes.

It doesn’t matter if you’re one, 80 or 100, the museum wants you there on October 30 as they unveil the building’s new exterior lighting.

The new lighting uses the latest in programmable and low-energy LED lights, which have been installed around the neoclassical columns and exterior of the building.

Photos and stories can be posted to Auckland Museum 80th Birthday, Auckland Museum, Private Bag 92018, Auckland, or emailed to info@aucklandmuseum.com.

The museum asks that only copies of photos be given, not originals, because it is unable to return them.

Include the names and ages of people in the photo/story, the year it was taken, and a contact name and phone number. Entries must be received by October 21 and winners will be drawn on October 23 and notified by phone.

The main prize includes accommodation for two in Auckland and a special VIP family pass for up to six people to attend the Night at Auckland Museum event on October 30.

This includes a family hamper with champagne and snacks for the adults, and treats for children.

The winner will receive a family membership to Auckland Museum for one year.

Ten people will also get year-long family memberships.

- On October 30, the new lighting will be unveiled at 9.55pm. From 9.30pm there will be entertainment outside and there is a special Night at the Museum event for kids.

Adults can take part in a fundraiser called Artefact/­Artefiction where participants test their wits against museum curators at its first annual fundraising brain game.

From October 31 the museum’s new visitors’ lounge in the grand foyer will be open.

For more information go to www.aucklandmuseum.com.

Timeline of events in war memorial museum’s life

- 1929: The new Auckland War Memorial Museum building is opened. Subscriptions raised by Aucklanders in remembrance of those who died during World War One enable the construction of a new building for Auckland Museum. Crafted from Portland stone and designed to reflect the valour of New Zealand soldiers and the ‘classical’ tragedy of battles such as Gallipoli, the museum’s colonnades are said to be almost an exact replica of the Parthenon’s in Greece

- 1936: After six years at the Auckland Zoo, the young bull elephant Rajah is proving ‘unmanageable’ and is put to premature death. He is sent to a big game taxidermist to prepare, and becomes one of the museum’s most popular exhibits

- 1939: Because of the outbreak of World War Two the museum begins to move many of its objects into safe storage, in case the building is bombed. Barracks for the America Army, called Camp Hale, are built below the cenotaph. From June 1942 to mid-1944 between 15,000 and 45,000 American servicemen are camped in New Zealand at any one time

- 1951: The museum embarks on a fundraising project to extend the building, with the new addition to commemorate Aucklanders who served and died during World War Two

- 1960: The new wing, commemorating those who served in World War Two, is opened to the public by Governor-General Viscount Cobham in March

- 1974: The Hall of New Zealand Birds is completed, with the life-sized replica of a giant moa as its star attraction. The moa has been on display since the museum opened

- 1987: The first major exhibition of dinosaurs in New Zealand, Firth Dinosaurs, attracts almost 130,000 people, a record at that time. Today the museum displays replicas of dinosaurs discovered in New Zealand, and in 2008 exhibited the world’s largest T-Rex

- 1995: The first stage of a massive refurbishment project is launched. This includes the strengthening of the building and an overhaul of galleries. In October, Cultural Affairs Minister Doug Graham presents a cheque for $13 million to assist with the refurbishment

- 1996: The first of the museum’s refurbished galleries is opened to the public. Scars on the Heart is opened in February by Governor-General Dame Catherine Tizard. The gallery explores our role in conflict, from the New Zealand Wars through to World War One. In December, Scars on the Heart 2 opened, investigating New Zealand’s role in World War Two and subsequent conflicts

- 2004: Construction begins on stage two of the museum refurbishment project. The second stage project will increase the museum’s floor area by 60 percent, provide collection storage, workshops, educational amenities, exhibition and visitor services, a theatre, curatorial amenities and an events centre

- 2006: The second stage is completed in December, after a decade of refurbishment, redevelopment and building

- 2009: The museum celebrates its 80th birthday.