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Tūhura Otago Museum Blog

The blog is where we'll post news, updates, information about objects in our collection, #betterworkstories, profiles of staff members and visitors, pictures and videos, and really anything we think you'd find interesting. We hope you enjoy. 

If there's a topic you'd like us to do a post about, or a post that you think needs a sequel, just let us know!

birthday banner featured

est. 1868: The Biggest Birthday Banner

For the last installment of our est. 1868 blog series, Curator Moira White investigates the story behind our supersized birthday banner.

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stamp featured

est. 1868: A Fascinating Face

In 1862, two years before it was official practice, the Dunedin postmaster began perforating sheets of Queen Victoria stamps. Honorary Curator Melville Carr takes a closer look at the many different designs used during the monarch's long reign.

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darius alexander

est. 1868: Alexander and Darius

Despite its tiny size, this painting has many stories to tell. Honorary Curator Robert Hannah explores its history.

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Fossil

est. 1868: The fossil that fuelled a deadly disaster

Found preserved in rocks in Westland’s Grey Valley, this fossil leaf is a reminder of the worst industrial disaster in New Zealand’s history. Honorary Curator Rosi Crane digs into its deadly past.

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balmain featured

est. 1868: The story behind our Balmain dress

A fine example of haute couture can be found in the rarest category of est. 1868. Honorary Curator Jane Malthus explains how a 1948 Balmain dress ended up in the Otago Museum collection.

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aphrodite est

Est. 1868: The allure of Aphrodite

She’s been a symbol of love and beauty for many thousands of years. Honorary Curator Robert Hannah takes a deeper look at the story behind Aphrodite’s nude form.

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tiny hat featured

Est. 1868: Hats off to fashion

Petite hats were the height of fashion in the 1870s. Honorary Curator Jane Malthus takes a closer look at the 19th century trend for tiny headpieces.

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stirn detective camera

est. 1868: Stirn’s Optimus detective camera

Designed to fit beneath a waistcoat, with only the lens showing through a buttonhole, this small-for-its-time camera provoked some interesting reactions when it launched in the 1880s. 

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preserving jar elastic

Est. 1868: Waste not, want not

Why does a preserving jar filled with elastic appear in the quirkiest category of est. 1868? Honorary Curator Jane Malthus explains.

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bachelor buttons est

Est. 1868: Bachelor beware

What stories are hidden inside this tiny box, currently on display in est. 1868? Curator Moira White takes a peek. 

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About

Our blog aims to keep you informed of the latest happenings at the Otago Museum, through posts about our collections, our people and our work.

Disclaimer

The views expressed here are those of our individual contributors, and are not the views of the Otago Museum.

Copyright

All content of this blog is Copyright Otago Museum, 2017. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the Otago Museum, except for the purposes of private study, research, criticism, review, or education, as provided for in the New Zealand Copyright Act 1994.