From November 17, 1925, to May 1, 1926, Dunedin hosted the wildly popular "New Zealand and South Seas International Exhibition".
More than 3 million people filed through the doors in the months it was here at a time when New Zealand’s population was about 1.25 million.
North East Valley resident Steven Homes, 66 , was raised on enthralling tales from his grandfather about the "great exhibition".
"My grandfather was born in 1900 ... and he told me about the exhibition — he said there were go-carts, a brass band playing, it sounded surreal."
His grandfather started Mr Homes’ collection when he gave him a small booklet of photos from the exhibition and a commemorative medalette made for the event.
He now has hundreds of mementoes and display items decorating his home.
"Forty-five years ago, exhibition things were everywhere, and everyone had them ... however, slowly over the last 10 to 15 years, they’re turning into antiques and can fetch a lot of money."
The scale of the exhibition was "mind-boggling" to think of when compared with the events of today, he said.
Land at modern-day Logan Park and Anzac Ave was reclaimed for the exhibition.
Before 1925, the area was a tidal inlet originally known as Pelichet Bay and had been partly reclaimed. That left a flat area and a lake called Lake Logan.
A series of pavilions surrounding a central court were constructed and the exhibition covered 6.5ha.
Money made from the exhibition helped fund the construction of the Dunedin City Council Municipal Chambers.
Mr Homes said his collection included decorative plates, vases, spoons, knick-knacks and "many, many teacups".
"For me, it is an interest. These kind of exhibitions, they're not really around any more. There would have been everything imaginable there, from housewares, furniture, to a bowling green."
