Foxton Flax Stripper Museum is looking for more tour guides

If you can spin a yarn or two and enjoy local history, the role of Flax Stripper Museum tour guide might be just for you. This unique museum in Foxton is in danger of closing if volunteers cannot be found to stand in for the long-serving guide.

On a sunny Tuesday afternoon, a dozen or so enthusiastic visitors are seated in the Foxton Flax Stripping Museum listening to local historian Tony Hunt talk about the once-huge flax industry in Foxton, and why it can claim to be the flax capital of New Zealand. With a little humour and great knowledge, he takes the audience through whole story.

Inside Foxton's Flax Stripper Museum.

Tony has been doing this talk and demonstrating the flax stripping and scutching machines to visitors for decades, and by himself since 2008, opening up six days a day 1pm-3pm.

Another volunteer covers the seventh day each week. "Visitors are amazed at the history of the industry which is illustrated throughout the building with floor coverings, woven flax pieces, photographs, newspaper cuttings, pictures and equipment," says Tony. Many are nostalgic particularly seeing flax carpet from their childhoods.

Now in his 80s, Tony needs volunteers to help him keep the unique museum open. His health is failing and he worries that when he is not well, the museum stays closed. "Volunteers could just do one two-hour session a fortnight, or specify a day of the week that suits them.

The role includes talking about the history of the industry in Foxton, then demonstrating the flax stripping and scutching machines." It would suit anyone with an interest in local history and confidence to talk in public. Tony has prepared all the background notes needed, based on years of research and visitors' questions, and would give full training to volunteers.

Flax machine in action. Foxton Flax Stripper Museum.

The museum started when Tony's mother, Daphne Hunt, as President of the Keep Foxton Beautiful campaign inquired about the possibility of building a museum based around a flax stripper machine available in the town. Well-known British botanist David Bellamy, had recently visited and questioned why there was not a memorial to the flax industry.

In 1990, the Flax Stripping Museum was opened. Tony's mother, he admits, "was good at organising other people to do things." She enlisted her son as secretary/treasurer of the museum trust – a role he has continued in for 41 years.

The first flax mill was set up in Foxton in 1869 and was a boom industry for several decades. Foxton became the first and only place to make anything other than rope with flax when woolpacks were woven into "sackcloth".

Later, floor coverings and carpet underfelt were added to the range. Plastic fibres took over the market in the 1960s, and in 1973 Foxton flax mill closed down. Bonded Felts continued to make underfelt with flax from Moutoa until 1985, when the mill burnt down.

For more information about volunteering contact Tony Hunt on 06 363 6846 or by email tony_and_judith@xtra.co.nz

Tony demonstrating stripping machine. Foxton Flax Stripper Museum.

The Flax Stripping museum is situated behind the windmill and Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom on Foxton's Main Street and is open seven days a week 1pm-3pm.