Whanganui Regional Museum set for exterior refurbishment

A new project hopes to maintain the original Whanganui Regional Museum building which first opening in 1928.

Whanganui Regional Museum is getting an exterior refurbishment.

The repairs, including repainting, will begin on February 10.

The original building opened in 1928, with an extension added in 1968.

The museum was closed in 2016 for earthquake strengthing and reopened in 2019.

Deterioration of the exterior has exposed areas of plaster.

Scaffolding and a skin will surround the areas being worked on to ensure minimal disruption during the sandblasting.

“We are grateful to the community and visitors for their continued support during the project and we look forward to unveiling the refreshed building,” said council general manager of community property and places, Sarah O’Hagan.

All events and exhibitions are expected to go ahead as planned and the museum will remain open and fully operational throughout the repainting process.

The weather-dependent project will be completed in stages, starting in February 2025 and finishing by mid-2025.

“We know how much the Whanganui community values its museum, and the refreshed facade will ensure the museum is suitably presented for its major place in the cultural precinct of Pukenamu Queen’s Park,” Whanganui Regional Museum director Dr Bronwyn Labrum said.

“We are very grateful for the commitment from the council in allocating this important funding in the Long Term Plan.”