Costumes in the Cottage

The 1873 McDonald Cottage features stories of events in the district over time.

Below are list of the past stories we have displayed in our Costumes in the Cottage feature

Latest Display - Headmaster of Morrinsville School

The headmaster of the Morrinsville School was on stage at the new Empire Hall in Studholme Street Morrinsville when for the first time the annual school concert was presented by the staff and pupils at the school.

DRF Campbell, the Headmaster

Morrinsville School Display at Morrinsville Museum

In the foyer, Mother and daughter read the School Concert Programme waiting for it to start.

Brother John is impatiently waiting for his younger sister Ada to get ready to go to the school concert.

Will I or won’t I wear a hat? Ada is almost ready to go.

Elizabeth is wearing her Sunday best to the concert.

Lois Echlin in the Morrinsville Railway Display at Morrinsville Museum

Lois Echlin is waiting at the Morrinsville Railway Station for her friend. They are travelling from Morrinsville to Auckland by Train

Peggy Seville in the Morrinsville Railway Display at Morrinsville Museum

Peggy Seville waits outside the cottage for a carriage to take her to the railway station. She and her friend Lois Echlin are going to Auckland by train to a dance recital.

Railways Display

Our railways display showed information about when the railway came from Auckland to Hamilton and then to Morrinsville in 1894. Included in this display were the costumed mannequins of people who lived in Morrinsville, and who would have used the train to go to Hamilton or Auckland.

Pink Telegram

The Pink Telegram was a small display of the story about a woman receiving a pink telegram when one of her loved ones had been killed during the First World War.

Influenza Epidemic Display at Morrinsville Museum

Baskets of linen and other necessities ready to be taken to homes where they were needed. Towels were in great demand.

Waiting for the phone to ring.

Influenza Epidemic

The Influenza Epidemic struck New Zealand in 1918 after the finish of the First World War. Over 9000 people in New Zealand died from this epidemic over a two month period. Our cottage display showed a house that had two women who were responding to the needs of the families where people had fallen ill with this deadly influenza.

Croquet Club Display at Morrinsville Museum

In 1913 Te Kauwhanganui (The Maori Parliament) was built at Rukumoana Marae, the same year the Catholic Church was opened in Morrinsville. The Croquet Club also opened the same year.

Croquet Club

The opening of the Croquet Club in Morrinsville was an occasion that meant time to dress up and attend the garden party to celebrate. Our display in the cottage was a happier event with four mannequins dressed to go out for the day.

The First Agricultural and Pastoral Show

The opening of the first Agricultural and Pastoral Show in 1919 was an occasion for a mother and daughter to take a complimentary ticket and see this event in Morrinsville

Up and Coming Display

Every six months we have a new display in the cottage.
The next display will be ready for February 2022.

Contact Morrinsville Museum to find out more

Morrinsville Museum

41 Canada Street, Morrinsville (opposite the Public Library)
P. 07 889 4190
E. info@morrinsvillemuseum.org.nz

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Opening Hours

Monday to Friday from 11.00am to 4.00pm
First Saturday of the month open for Morrinsville Market Day from 9.00am to 1.00pm
Sunday from 11.00am to 3.00pm.

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