The Waihemo museum at Palmerston has attracted more than 5000 visitors since it opened in January 2009.
And just over $40,000 had been raised towards the purchase of the museum building in Lower Tiverton St, in the Palmerston town centre, Waihemo museum trust secretary Isobel McLew said.
Hundreds of items had been donated since the museum opened, including a large number given by the family of the late Trevor Ross, who ran a private museum in the town, she said.
The museum also fields many inquiries from visitors seeking information about Palmerston family histories. It is open from 12.30pm to 3.30pm daily, except Sundays. It opens at 11am on days the Seasider train runs from Dunedin.
