Taupo Museum holds old fashioned gala

12 May 2015

An old fashioned gala being held at Taupo Museum will be the last hurrah for long-serving staff member Chris Potter this weekend.

Exhibitions officer Ms Potter has been with the museum for 11 years and the gala is her final event with the museum before she retires.

The day will feature music, food, fun, activities and competitions with an old fashioned theme and is being held to celebrate International Museum Day. Those who go along can learn an old fashioned skill such as crochet, buy old fashioned items from the store and dress up for photographs with old fashioned clothing.

Ms Potter said the day was about embracing good old fashioned fun with the whole family. There are so many great old hobbies and skills that we don't really do these days, so hopefully we can teach the community a bit about these things, she said.

She said she would miss working in a stimulating environment with interesting people, helping artists to display their work in the best way possible. I was a teacher for many years before I joined the museum and love finding exciting, interactive ways to share knowledge and information in the community, she said. The museum belongs to us all - we are telling local stories and supporting and encouraging local artists.

Ms Potter said she had decided to retire to do the things she did not have time for while working - artistic pursuits, tramping, travelling around the country and spending time with her grandchildren.

The Old Fashioned Gala will run from 10am to 3pm on Saturday. Entry to the museum will be free for the day to both residents and visitors.

International Museum Day was established in 1977 to increase public awareness of the role of museums in the development of society and it has been steadily gaining momentum ever since. Last year's saw 35,000 museums around the world hosting events in 145 countries and this year our museum will be part of the action.

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Lisa Nairne Communications Manager 07 376 0762 027 839 8410

Vicki Waterhouse Communications Advisor 07 376 0718 027 484 2549

Taupo District Council

www.taupo.govt.nz