Who Cared? Otago Nurses in WWI

NOW CLOSED

1877 Gallery
26 September 2015 – 30 January 2016

Based on the historical novel Lives We Leave Behind by local author Dr Maxine Alterio, this immersive and interactive exhibition told the stories of nurses who cared for wounded soldiers during the Great War.

Visitors to the exhibition stepped back in time and into the No. 1 New Zealand Stationary Hospital in Wisques, France. They got an insight into what the lives of nurses and soldiers were like in autumn 1917 by reading their letters, touching their few possessions and listening to their conversations.

Visitors could also fill out a postcard at the "post office" area, asking to hear from their favourite nurse, and drop it in the post box provided. Our team emptied the post box regularly and made sure those interested got their replies.

The exhibition was developed and researched by Bachelor of Design (Communication) students at Otago Polytechnic in association with the Otago Museum team.

Exhibition statistics:

35 137 visitors
1500 postcards sent