Cobblestones almost complete

NEARLY THERE: Cobblestones Museum trustee Leigh Hay stands in the almost complete entrance building. PHOTO/LYNDA FERINGA

The Cobblestones Museum entrance building is almost complete.

On Sunday, July 13, visitors will be welcomed through a new reception area to explore the early settlers museum.

"The interior in the reception area is panelled wood and that's virtually finished now," said museum trustee Leigh Hay.

Detailed planning for the exhibition development and fit-out of the new exhibition space has begun and is expected to be completed within three months.

Mrs Hay said some of the large historic carriages might be displayed as well as historic machinery and artefacts, audio-visual facilities and interactive displays.

The exhibition space might also change from time to time to tell the history of Greytown and Wairarapa, she said.

"There are quite a lot of stories we can weave around pieces in the collection."

The new building also includes a curation and conservation room where items can be assessed and restored if needed. Mrs Hay, who is also chairwoman of the museum trust's marketing, events and communications committee, also unveiled new branding. She said the trust worked closely with artist Anne Taylor, who designed the logo which is "a nod to the past but with an eye to the future."

"Our new logo speaks heritage, rural, vintage with our colours and images."

Construction started last December and has cost almost $1million.

Greytown residents are invited to a dawn blessing service at 7am on July 13 and to view the building before it opens at 10am.

The trust is also working on family passes so families can visit Cobblestones throughout the year.