"It's a street for children to visit and grandparents to explain how things were to their grandchildren and show where we have come from."
The World War I centre that will replace it in the redeveloped gallery has been helped by last year's $3,825,790 grant from the Lottery Grants Board.
Responding to Mrs Littlewood's concerns, museum director Roy Clare said Auckland 1866's items would be available in new exhibitions and the stories could be told in other ways.
"Auckland 1866 will live on as a virtual exhibition which will be available for all to view and explore online," said Mr Clare. "We are also developing oral histories of the stores around the exhibition and of the families of the owners of the original shops."
Mr Clare said a farewell weekend would be held with actors, games and costumes, and a kiosk would be set up where people could experience a virtual exhibition.
Museum representatives had been discussing the changes with the descendants of those who donated the exhibition in 1966.
Descendant Scott Milne said the family understood the need for building maintenance and for change.
Mr Milne said the display was built in the Queen St store of Milne & Choyce to go on display for six months.
"Tens of thousands of Aucklanders came to see it ... it was a massive promotion." The attraction was then dismantled and given to the museum.
A museum spokeswoman said the restoration project would reveal the gallery's original features including marble skirting and an engraved timber stage.
Auckland 1866
• A cross-section of Auckland shops, bars and homes, furnishings and merchandise in 1866.
• It was given to Auckland Museum by Milne & Choyce department store.
• The "finale" weekend is set for September 26 and 27.
• Exhibition closes and restoration of East Gallery starts on September 28.
• Lottery Grants Board has given $3.8 million for restoration of the East Gallery and creating a World War I commemoration centre.
• The changes are part of the long-term strategy Future Museum that began in 2012.
