Major Milestone Reached For Nelson Tasman's New Heritage Collection Facility

Nelson Tasman’s nationally significant heritage collection is one step closer to a new home, with Nelson Provincial Museum set to celebrate a major construction milestone at its new Archives, Research and Collections (ARC) facility in Richmond on Wednesday 28 October. The purpose-built facility will safeguard more than 300,000 objects, 1.2 million photographs and 150,000 archives and documents that tell the stories of our region.

A ‘roof shout’ morning tea celebration will bring together Museum staff, contractors, project partners, friends and supporters to acknowledge the hard work and dedication that has brought the project to this important stage. Guests will also take a behind-the-scenes tour of the construction site and see firsthand how the new facility is taking shape.

The ARC facility on Coman Drive will provide a secure, purpose-built home for taonga, photographs, archives and objects that tell the stories of Nelson Tasman. It will replace the ageing collection storage facility at Isel Park, where ageing infrastructure, environmental conditions and limited space present ongoing challenges for long-term collection care.

Nelson Provincial Museum Chief Executive Lucinda Jimson says the milestone is an exciting moment for everyone involved.

“This is a wonderful milestone for the ARC project and an opportunity to recognise the incredible effort that has brought us this far. We are particularly grateful to Scott Construction and the wider construction team for their hard work and commitment.”

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

The project represents a significant long-term investment in Nelson Tasman's heritage, made possible through a shared vision and the commitment of local councils, funders, donors and community supporters.

“This is about much more than a new building. It's about giving our history a future, protecting the irreplaceable objects, photographs, archives and taonga that connect us to our past, and ensuring they are cared for and accessible for generations to come,” says Jimson.

The new facility will also support greater access for researchers, whānau, schools and the wider community, helping more people connect with the region’s heritage.

With construction progressing, the Museum is preparing for the significant task of documenting, packing and relocating the region’s heritage collection to its new home.

While the building itself represents a major achievement, fundraising continues to support the specialist fit-out and relocation of the collection, ensuring the new facility is ready to safely house and care for the region’s irreplaceable heritage.

“We’ve come a long way, and we’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has helped turn this long-held vision into reality. With 91% of the funding secured, we’re now calling on the community to help us raise the remaining $830,000 needed for specialist museum shelving and fit-out. We’re so close, and we’d love everyone to get behind this project and help us get it over the line,” says Jimson.

The community can support the ARC project and help give our history a future by donating at www.nelsonmuseum.co.nz/about-arc.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading