Why did the telephone exchange cross the road? To get to the Museum of Waiheke and Historic Village.
Welcome! The Museum of Waiheke and Historic Village offers a glimpse into Waiheke Island’s vibrant past. It is a place where history comes alive.
The Waiheke Island Historical Society operates the Museum. Their mission? Preserving and presenting the island’s 800-year history.
The Museum of Waiheke and Historic Village is located at 165 Onetangi Straight. It is open Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays, and public holiday Mondays. Opening hours are from 11 AM to 3 PM. The Museum is closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Entry is by donation. A $3 donation per person is suggested.
What can you see here? Six restored buildings display islander artifacts.
There is a reconstructed woolshed. It houses the Museum’s main exhibits. Imagine the bustling activity within its walls during shearing season.
The 1930s-style island cottage is called Day Cottage. It can be used as a meeting room. Picture families gathering here long ago, sharing stories and laughter.
Three small bach-style houses are here. They are Champion, Keane, and Goodwin cottages. They feature period rooms and photo exhibits.
You will see a working, manually-operated telephone exchange. Think about the operators connecting calls. They were a vital link for the island community. The original Waiheke jail is here.
The Museum has been working on the Taonga Heritage Gardens. See Maori artifacts, a wool press, and a whale oil cauldron. There are many collectables.
The Museum of Waiheke and Historic Village has re-gravelled the footpaths. The paths link the buildings. The Auckland Council’s office of Parks and Community Facilities supplied and spread the gravel.
The Museum is featured on Sealink’s Art & Culture Roadtrip.
Champion Cottage has been refurbished. Rotting weatherboards were replaced. Iain Halse did the construction work. Ben France did the painting. The cottage now looks like it did in about 1930.
The Waiheke Island Historical Society plans regular heritage events. They celebrate Waiheke and New Zealand heritage and crafts. These events normally occur on the first Sunday of every month. The events start at 12 noon.
The Historical Society republished Dixie Day’s book Waiheke Pioneers. It is a standard reference for early European settlement on Waiheke. You can purchase the book at the Museum.
The Museum of Waiheke and Historic Village is more than just a collection of buildings. It is a portal to another time. A place where you can connect with the stories of those who came before us.