The Taihape and District Historical and Museum Society established the Taihape Museum in 1975 and is committed to retaining anything pertaining to the history of Taihape and its surrounding district.

The museum is situated in the original Taihape Methodist Church buildings which is an architectural gem in itself. The first church was opened on 11 June 1902 but by 1907 that building was too small and was moved to the rear of the property to be used as the church hall. A new church was built at the front and opened in March 1910. In 1973 there was a shortage of Methodist ministers and the few parishioners leased the church building to the fledgling Museum society who later bought the site.

The church is now the main museum and the church hall is used as a storage room.  The section also holds an early Taihape house, which is currently being decorated in period style, and roofed areas protecting old agricultural implements, the original telephone exchange and the linotype machine used by the Taihape Times for many years.

The museum holds items of general interest to Taihape. It has an indexed collections of photographs and family information and records of defunct local groups. The museum also holds all the booklets that have been published about the area.

A special treat is that the museum offers research to be undertaken by the Secretary but a research fee of $10 is expected to accompany any request.

The Taihape museum is situated at 14 Huia Street, Taihape 4720.

Its opening hours are: 1.30pm to 4.30pm each Sunday and every day during school holidays. The museum will also open by arrangement.  Please contact one of the people listed below.

Contacts:
Trevor Prime: Chairman
388 1467
rae.prime@xtra.co.nz

Marjorie Doole: Secretary
Phone 388 0089
kotukumarj@hotmail.com

Carol Gilbert:Phone 388 1488
cjgilbert@xtra.co.nz

How can you help?

• If you live in Taihape offer your services as an active member, custodian or silent member by paying the annual membership fee of $10.
• Share your family history. The museum has an indexed envelope collection for storing information.
• Donate items of local interest, such as photographs etc.