Our Blog
Come Behind the Scenes – a weekly insight into the Museum world!Mercury Belle
Article first published in The Informer
Over the last few weeks we have been running a competition to give our cow a name. We are pleased to announce that we have winner!!!
Her name is “Mercury Belle” and Ren Wells was the winner. He came in especially one day to meet the cow and make sure she suited it. He was very happy so gave us his entry. He also told us the story behind the name. The Mercury Belle was a freighter boat for the Mizen family on Great Mercury Island. She was named the Belle because she was the ‘Belle of the Ball’. It was built for E.E Mizen by Lidgard Bros in February 1938. She was a substantial 52 footer with Canadian-built 120hp 6 cylinder Vivian engine and cost £4,000. This was an astronomical sum at the time. The Mercury Belle later became a fishing trawler out of Gisborne.
Thank you to Ren for her new name –we think she suits it too and is now the “Belle of Mercury Museum”.
Don’t forget if you have been thinking about volunteering come on in and have a chat with us – we are always looking for more hands to help out.
What’s the point of museums?
I recently read an article in the New Zealand Geographic titled, “What’s the Point of Museums?” Written by Mike Dickason article really gave me some perspective on my job as manager of a museum. We get lot of queries about why certain artifacts are not being displayed...
The Museum is Turning 40!
Article first published in The Informer With Christmas only a few weeks away, thoughts tend to turn towards the upcoming festivities and our social calendars move into higher gear. Here at the Mercury Bay Museum we are ready to celebrate as well as the Museum is...
Become a Volunteer
If you would like to volunteer to be part of our front-of-house team welcoming visitors to the museum, read our volunteer programme fact sheet and download our application form from the link below.
Opening Times
10am to 3pm*
Closed Sundays
* except Christmas/Boxing Day, Good Friday,
Easter Sunday and Anzac Day.
Last admission 2.15pm
Visit Us
11A The Esplanade, Whitianga
Opposite the wharf.
Wheelchair access & parking is available on The Esplanade.
Admission
Adults $12.50
Local Adult $10
NZ Gold Card (Senior) $10
Student (15-18 years) $10
Children Under 14 are free with an accompanying adult
Groups 10+ please contact us re your visit.
Proud Sponsors of the Mercury Bay Museum
