"Ed had a special fondness for the Otago Museum," June, Lady Hillary said yesterday.
Sir Edmund had enjoyed his involvement with the museum and the affection had grown over the years. He also had strong feelings for the South Island, where he had done much of his New Zealand mountain climbing.
"He always liked it down in the South Island."
She felt positive about making the gift of items willed to her by Sir Edmund, adding it was "the right thing to do".
"I obviously believe that they will give them [the artefacts] the best care that they could possibly have," she said.
Lady Hillary last night opened a Hillary exhibition, which museum organisers called "small but high impact".
From 10am today, the artefacts, some of which are pictured above, will be displayed "in the heart of the museum", in the atrium foyer and stairwell.
"The museum has treasured the opportunities we have had to work with Sir Ed and Lady Hillary - they have been enjoyable, successful and inspirational," museum chief executive Shimrath Paul said.
"We're humbled to be the recipients of this important gift," he said.
• Lady Hillary yesterday declined to comment on reports Sir Edmund's children, Peter and Sarah Hillary, were trying, through court action, to prevent her selling one of Sir Edmund's watches, a Rolex reportedly valued at more than $25,000.
