New entranceway dedicated

PRAYER: Heads bow inside the entranceway building to Cobblestones Museum in Greytown, during the dawn blessing.

Cobblestones Museum's new entranceway building in Greytown was blessed in a dawn ceremony yesterday morning.

St Luke's Church vicar Andy Eldred was joined by iwi representative Paora Ammunson and around 100 people at 7am in a blessing and walk-through into the twinned-arch building, which awaits the placement of exhibits from the museum.

Previously, the entrance to the Cobblestones complex was literally over the cobbles, paying the entry fee at one of the historic buildings.

Mr Eldred declared a "sacred dedication", saying this would be a place where "visitors would be made welcome.

"And where this community finds a deep connection for the generations who have come before and a deep encouragement for the generations yet to come."

Cobblestones Trust chairman Graeme Gray said the blessing marked the realisation of a project that began three years ago.

"The entranceway was something we really needed to deal with, we had been going around and around in circles.

"We realised we needed more space than just an entrance."

He said the trust was "very pleased" with what they had achieved.

"It complements the museum's assets."

The ceremony included the presentation by the South Wairarapa Rotary Club of a Don Neilson painting of Cobblestones, dedicated to late member Russell Calvert, who had been the chairman of the entrance building committee at the beginning.

Rotary past president Bryan Tucker said Mr Calvert was on the design "from day one".

Cobblestones' trustee John Gilberthorpe, chairman of the exhibitions committee, said the building should be operating with all its exhibits by Labour Weekend.

"Objects in the museum will be featured here, and their stories."

Consulting on the layout are exhibition designer Craig Turvey, of 3D Creative, and project curator Ian Wards, both fresh from a Te Papa contract.

Mr Turvey said they had identified the "hero" objects, as they put it, to place in the building.

"The building itself offers a unique opportunity to showcase Cobblestones to its full advantage.

"The character of Greytown will be captured within this exhibition."

He said it was wonderful to bring their skills from Te Papa to Wairarapa.

Mr Wards said it had been a "really fun" project.

"We wanted to tell great stories to visitors, but also something locals appreciate."