A veritable plethora of penwipers
Putting pen to paper once involved other bits and pieces as well, Moira White writes.
Cool and Collected
'Infernal machine' big suffrage issue
'Infernal machine' big suffrage issue
In the "Suffrage and Beyond" exhibition now showing at Toitu Otago Settlers Museum stands a fine example of a totalisator machine, an intriguing device once used for betting on horses at local race...
Making a curious, farcical escape
Making a curious, farcical escape
The camera is trained on the side of a typical suburban weatherboard house; hugged by a low box hedge, unswept leaves are scattered on the adjacent footpath.
A special 'Suzani'
A special 'Suzani'
According to Olveston's records, a colourfully embroidered textile in the Theomin family's collection is the only known example of its type on public display in New Zealand.
Bird show took off
Bird show took off
In 1873, the Otago Provincial Council appointed captain F.W Hutton as curator of Otago Museum. Turns out they made a wise choice, writes Rosi Crane.
Flourishes of bravery exemplary
Flourishes of bravery exemplary
A stockman on the run from family troubles in Taranaki was one of the Otago battalion's unlikely heroes, writes Sean Brosnahan.
Kahutai carries mana of great chief
Kahutai carries mana of great chief
A mere pounamu at Otago Museum carries the stories of its people.
For whom the bell tolls
For whom the bell tolls
There was no escaping Dunedin's town crier, writes Peter Read.
A Kiwi take on French cubism
A Kiwi take on French cubism
Born in 1886 in Devonshire and immigrating to New Zealand in 1892, John Weeks was a leading New Zealand painter of the 1930s and '40s.
An ode to filing
An ode to filing
The ubiquitous manila folder can conceal myriad mysteries, writes Andrea Bell.
A fashion-focused celebration
A fashion-focused celebration
Otago celebrated its centenary in 1948 in style, writes Moira White.
Label lives on at the Hocken
Label lives on at the Hocken
Xpressway Records collected an eclectic and significant snapshot of the live music scene in the 1980s and early '90s, writes Amanda Mills.
Velocipede mania
Velocipede mania
Dunedin caught up with the rest of the world when, in 1869, it held its first velocipede race.
Between fact and fiction
Between fact and fiction
A self-proclaimed ‘‘cultural wanderer’’, Jae Hoon Lee’s practice celebrates and documents his path through the world, writes Lauren Gutsell.
Sewing for soldiers overseas
Sewing for soldiers overseas
When war broke out in August 1914, young men rushed to join the colours while women's patriotic groups formed in every Dunedin suburb, and across the entire province. Thus, autograph quilts were born.
Spreading her wings
Spreading her wings
Eileen Mayo’s illustrative talents were admired across both hemispheres, writes Robyn Notman.
Drawn to our attention
Drawn to our attention
A collection of architects’ records constitutes a rich repository of memory, writes David Murray.
Tales told 3000 years on
Tales told 3000 years on
Ancient inscriptions at Otago Museum are giving up their secrets, writes Moira White.
Slaughter at Passchendaele
Slaughter at Passchendaele
Toitu Otago Settlers Museum curator Sean Brosnahan reflects on "the worst day in New Zealand military history".
Badges from the sisterhood
Badges from the sisterhood
While women in New Zealand had the vote by the end of the 19th century, the struggle continued in Britain, as a collection at the Hocken attests.