The Whanganui Regional Heritage Trust is in the process of establishing the inaugural Whanganui Heritage Month to highlight and celebrate Whanganui's Maori and European built heritage.
Whanganui has one of New Zealand's highest concentrations of European heritage buildings, still largely intact and dominating the city centre.
They represent a complete and
significant number of building styles dating between 1860 and 1960. There are also a number of Maori sites of significance, including St Paul's Memorial Church, Putiki, which was recently awarded NZ Heritage Category 1 status, and numerous marae along the Whanganui River Road.
The vision is to have a series of eclectic and exciting events to celebrate and highlight any aspects of Whanganui's heritage and history.
Whanganui Heritage Month will also include the 100-year celebrations of the Sarjeant Gallery and Durie Hill Elevator.
The Trust has contracted Kelly Scarrow to co-ordinate establishing this event and its marketing.
"We really need to start celebrating our heritage identity," says Kelly. "With my work on the Caboodle and Vintage Weekend, I could see a need for something different outside of that.
"My role is really exciting.
"I get to put the offer out, educate people around what the month is about and get them thinking about how they can participate.
"It's about celebrating our community."
Kelly is looking for a wide range of local groups or individuals to host suitable events for the programme.
The events need to take place within the event period of August 3 to September 13 and Kelly is actively looking for tours, information seminars, exhibitions, cultural events and more.
