Visits to Toitu Otago Settlers Museum had topped 140,000 since it reopened in December, museum director Linda Wigley told the museum board at its meeting yesterday.
The figure was especially impressive, given the fine summer, which could have been expected to dampen interest in an indoor activity, she said.
Visits included 11 by the same person.
Toitu is a finalist in Museums Aotearoa's 2013 New Zealand Museum Awards. The winner is to be announced next Thursday. Board member Cr John Bezett said he would be ''stunned'' if Toitu did not win the award.
Demand for archives had picked up, after a slow start. As it was a charged service it was a source of revenue. Mrs Wigley's report said 44 photo orders had been placed, providing revenue of $1415.
The museum shop had also picked up after a somewhat slow start, and the museum cafe was doing ''exceptionally well'' and had hired extra staff, she said.
The promotion of the museum as a function venue had been more successful than hoped, and demand was ''building up nicely'', Mrs Wigley said. While the final the cost of the redevelopment was yet to be determined, it was expected to come in under budget.
Contacted after the meeting, Mrs Wigley told the Otago Daily Times total visits were 142,215 from December 8 to April 1.
