Farewell Lisa Richards & International Museum Day

May 2015

Farewell to Lisa Richards, Director / Curator

Last week….. we said farewell to Lisa Richards, Director/Curator of the Norfolk Island Museum, this role she has fulfilled for the past 7 years.  Her energy, enthusiasm, professionalism, creativity, humour and friendship will be missed by all of us at the museum.  Her leadership has not only developed a museum to be proud of but has also established stronger community relationships.  She is an absolute dynamo to work with!

International Museum Day

This week…. Monday 18 May is International Museum Day. The theme is ‘Museums for a sustainable society’.  The International Council of Museums (ICOM) states that “it highlights the role of museums in raising public awareness about the need for a society that is less wasteful, more cooperative and that uses resources in a way that respects living systems”. 

Sustainability in museums is not only about economics and practicing efficient use of resources but also about safeguarding cultural heritage.  “Museum work, through education and exhibitions for example, should strive to create a sustainable society.” says ICOM President, Prof. Dr Hans-Martin Hinz.  

The Norfolk Island Museum promotes and protects our cultural heritage, past, present and future, tangible and intangible.  We encourage strong community relationship as mentioned above and invite you to visit your museum!  Entry is always free for locals.  Open from 11am – 3pm

What’s in our museums?

Commissariat Store (in the ground floor of All Saints Church)

Fascinating stories emerge from this collection of archaeological remains found in Kingston.  Explore Polynesian hearthstone, glass beads and pottery from the First Settlement and whips and leg irons from the Second Settlement.  Our convict past is alive here.

No. 10 Quality Row

Now a museum, this house was built in 1844 for Thomas Seller, Foreman of Works, during the height of the brutal Second Settlement.  It gives a vivid feel for life for the civil officers in charge of convicts. In 1856 it became the home of Isaac and Miriam Christian and their fifteen children, in later years it was the home of Charles ‘Potts’ Buffett.  Potts, as he is known held a number of positions including Deputy Administrator of NI and Administrator of Cocos (Keeling) Islands. He was awarded an O.B.E in 1981 and M.B.E. in 1987.

HMS Sirius Museum (old Youth Centre or Protestant Chapel)

Wrecked on our reef in 1790, the flagship of the First Fleet HMS Sirius is now Australia’s most important shipwreck.  Her artefacts are displayed together with the story of her loss and recovery.  A First Fleet Wall and Descendant’s Book are located here.

Pier Store

The legendary mutiny on board the Bounty has been portrayed in no less than five Hollywood movies but the true story is to be found here along with major Bounty artefacts.  Life on Pitcairn Island and the re-settlement to Norfolk in 1856 are also told.  Our rich local culture, including Norf’k language, is featured in this museum.   

The R.E.O.  sells books and souvenirs, it is also the venue for our short term displays, currently “Without Hesitation: Norfolk Islander’s and World War I”.  Visit The R.E.O. to see this display, on Monday  we’ll put on the kettle from about 11.30am, tea and coffee is on us, no paper cups, we promise.

When was the last time you visited the museum? 

Make this Monday, Museum-day!