Last week we celebrated the 90th anniversary of the Museum building on Pukekawa, Auckland Domain.
Before our iconic building was constructed, Auckland Museum occupied premises in central Auckland, beginning life in a two-room farm cottage in the suburb of Grafton.
With one room for the Museum's collections and one room for the curator, New Zealand's first Museum soon outgrew this humble site and was relocated to what was the Provincial Council Building in 1867 before moving once again to the old Post Office building in Princes Street three years later.
The Museum under the leadership of curator Thomas F. Cheeseman saw a period of rapid growth, resulting in three major extensions of the building over 30 years. Cheeseman lobbied the government to construct a new building that could take its place among the ‘chief museums in Australasia’.
By 1920 it was resolved that the new museum would be dedicated to the memory of those who had given their lives in the Great War. More than one hundred years ago more than 70 architects from around the world answered the call and entered the competition to design the new Auckland Museum building. Three finalists were chosen and Auckland firm Grierson, Aimer and Draffin won with their neo-classical building reminiscent of Greco-Roman temples seen by New Zealand servicemen as they arrived in the Mediterranean en route to Gallipoli and the Western Front.
Aucklanders rallied behind their Museum and subscriptions were raised by the public in remembrance for their war dead. The role of the cenotaph remains deeply important to us and the consecrated cenotaph ground remains the touchstone of Auckland’s collective remembrance of those who served in war.
This milestone has been poignant and timely reminder of our unique inheritance as we progress with our transformation and move closer to our Big Reveal next year. You can take a look back at the history of the building and some remarkable historical images here.