Waiheke Island - Local People, Local Knowledge
Waiheke Island Historic Village
From Waihekepedia
Located at 169 Onetangi Rd next to the Waiheke Golf Club the Historic Village is easily reached by car. Look out for signs that incorrectly state "Museum 500 metres". The signs are in fact 500 metres apart and the Museum is halfway between them! The bus to Onetangi (No. 1) stops in front of the Museum.
The Village consists of six buildings. The "Woolshed" owes its name to an orignal old woolshed on this site which housed the exhibit until a disastrous fire in 1997. Thanks to spirited community support and fund raising this modern replacement was build and it now houses the major displays, the information desk and a small museum shop selling crafts, souvenirs and books on Waiheke and Hauraki Gulf history. "Champion Cottage" is an enchanting Waiheke Bach from the 1930s with period furniture. "Kean Cottage" and "Godwin Cottage" are from the 1940s and 1950s and contain exhibits covering topics such as house and home, childhood, medicine and lots of old photographs. "Day Cottage", named after a pioneer couple, was the first Waiheke museum and stood on the site now occupied by the Ostend Market. Today it houses the Society's archives and stores as well as serving as a meeting place. The final building is the original wooden Detention Cell built in the 1940s for the old Oneroa Police Station. The Waiheke Island Historical Society welcomes new members, especially those who can give some active support. For further information visit its website http://www.waihekemuseum.org.nz
