100 Years of Floor
Taupo Museum Recaptures the Past
The building housing Taupo Museum is celebrating 100 years of use. Its shape and function have gone through so many changes that a section of flooring is all that is now left of the original building.
The staff of the Museum and Libraries held a 'floor shout' on 4th July, the day the building was completed in 1911 and dressed for the occasion in the clothes from a decade of their choice.
In 1911, JR McFarlane of Rotorua built Taupo's third Post Office on the site of the second Post Office fronting onto Huia St (no longer in existence) that extended down to the lake from Story Lane. A telephone exchange was added in 1913. At the time there were only 49 families living in the town.
When a bigger Post Office was built on the corner of Tongariro St, the old building continued to be used for telegraph operations until 1961 when Taupo Borough Council bought it to house the Taupo Library. The museum was added in 1979.
Many additions and changes saw the building grow in size with numerous configurations made internally
to house the range of displays and galleries.The addition of the Ora Garden in 2006 changed both the contour of the outside of the building and the ratings of the Museum as a visitor attraction.
A display of old photos and memorabilia is on display.
Rongomai and Gendi Te Keepa celebrate in style!
