The town's promotions group has launched plans to collect money and items for a museum in the town.
It recently bought the former Kaitangata Scout Hall and hopes to transform the Torquay St building into a museum and heritage centre.
But first, it needs historic items to put in the new facility.
Irene Sutton, who co-authored the publication A History of Kaitangata, is helping the push for cash and items.
Kaitangata is the only coal-mining area in the district.
A mock coal-mine is planned to show visitors how the mining operations worked underground, while other working displays are planned to include other areas of the town's past.
Already, the promotions group's Black Gold heritage committee has hundreds of photographs and items, but it wants to make the collection as extensive as possible.
One of the more recent discoveries was an 1885 insurance policy for the former Kaitangata Anthaeneum.
Mrs Sutton said the group wanted to finish paying off the property it got working drawings and plans for the refurbishment, but she was encouraged by the strong local support already evident.
"Now we need people to come to the party with donations and items and we will be well on our way."
Items being sought for the proposed Kaitangata Museum and Heritage Centre include anything connected with Maori history and settlement; memorabilia, sports trophies, photographs, copies of family trees; mining relics and equipment, hotels, farming.
The group also wanted items connected to hospital, doctors, school, post office, borough council, religion, volunteer fire brigade, police; sporting, cultural and community groups and wars, disasters, floods and celebrations.
Anyone wanting to support the project can contact Mrs Sutton on (03) 413-9854 or Kaitangata community co-ordinator Jean Proctor on (03) 413-9769.
