AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL

MEDIA RELEASE

31 August 2007

Step into your heritage

A tour of historic Symonds Street cemetery or discovering Auckland 100 years ago through a special photo exhibition, are some of the exciting events on offer by Auckland City Libraries as part of Auckland Heritage Festival 2007 this month.

Free festival activities are planned citywide from 15 to 30 September, to celebrate founding the settlement of Auckland 167 years ago on 18 September 1840. Auckland City Libraries’ contribution to the programme includes a wide range of things to do and displays to view, involving all 16 community libraries and the Central City Library.

The centrally-based heritage team welcomes the festival as a chance to share specialised knowledge and resources. From their huge collection of early Aucklander Henry Winkelmann’s photographs, staff have assembled a display specifically for the festival entitled “100 years ago this month”. It features photos taken in the city almost a century ago to the day

Winkelmann’s speciality was urban landscape and the grand buildings of the day. His work encourages visitors to look for familiar landmarks and compare scenes with today’s Auckland. 100 years ago this month is on display Saturday 15 to Sunday 30 September at Central City Library, ground floor, 9am to 5pm weekdays and 10am to 4pm weekends.

Auckland Central City Library is a treasure trove of unique books and documents. Some of the most exceptional examples of these, will make an appearance as part of an hour-long talk called ”Auckland City Libraries: the Turnbull of the North”, on Saturday 22 September at 11am. Libraries’ heritage manager Theresa Graham and special collections librarian Kate deCourcy, will share such gems as Shakespeare’s first folio and the earliest printed work in New Zealand. Both these works are included in the prestigious book “Real Gold: treasures of Auckland City Libraries”, to be launched at the library early in November. There is no charge for attending the talk, but booking is essential – on (09) 307 7242.

Local history librarian David Verran from Central City Library, has scheduled three walking tours through historic Symonds Street cemetery to fit with the festival. The cemetery was being planned at the time of Auckland’s founding, with its formal consecration and the first burial in 1842. The cemetery as we know it today, is an amalgamation of what were five separate cemeteries initially – Anglican, Wesleyan, Jewish, Presbyterian and Catholic. Central Library has a large body of information about Symonds Street Cemetery, including an online database of burials and other cemetery records. It is essential to book for one of the popular free tours held 18, 20 or 25 September from 1pm to 2.30pm. Phone the festival booking line on (09) 307 7242.

Did you know that Auckland Central City Library has the largest collection of family history resources in the country? Family history librarian Karen Kalopulu holds a workshop for starter genealogists at Blockhouse Bay Community Library at 11am, Thursday 27 September. “Searching for your family history – a beginner’s guide” will cover resources available through the library. This includes information available as hard copy, on CD-rom, microfilm and microfiche, together with publically accessible websites, a large collection of maps and material on the library. The workshop is free and booking is preferred through Blockhouse Bay Community Library.

Other picks from the libraries’ festival programme:

• a chance to test your heritage knowledge with the Avondale libraries’ online heritage quiz
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• a talk on Arch Hill and Eden history by Central City Library local history librarian David Verran at Grey Lynn Community Library on 28 September
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• author Jane Reidy talks about her recently released “Not just passing through: the making of Mt Roskill”, at Mt Roskill Community Library on 18 September, 10.30am.
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For more details about the Auckland Heritage Festival, visit www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/heritagefestival or for information about Auckland City Libraries, visit www.aucklandcitylibraries.com .

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Note to editors:
Full libraries programme
100 years ago this month – free
Saturday 15 to Sunday 30 September, 9am to 5pm weekdays, 10am to 4pm weekends
Be intrigued by this photo display of Auckland in 1907, by photographer Henry Winklemann.
Location: Special Collections, level 2, Central City Library.

Arch Hill and Eden local history talk – free
Friday 28 September, 11am to noon
Local historian David Verran from Central City Library will talk about the history of Arch Hill and Eden.
Location: Grey Lynn Community Library
Bookings essential. Phone the festival bookings line on (09) 307 7242.

Author talk with Jade Reidy
Tuesday 18 September, 1030am
Jade Reidy, author of the newly published book “Not just passing through: the making of Mt Roskill”, will share her experience in researching and writing local history.

Location: Mt Roskill Community Library

Avondale online heritage quiz
Saturday 15 to Sunday 30 September, online
Test your historical knowledge with our online quiz (coming soon) based around Avondale's historical websites.
Location: Avondale Community Library

Blockhouse Bay and beyond – free
Saturday 15 to Sunday 30 September, 9am to 6pm weekdays, 10am to 4pm Saturday
View a selection of library resources about Blockhouse Bay and beyond.
Location: Blockhouse Community Library

Searching for your family history – a beginner’s guide – free
Thursday 27 September, 11am
Family history librarian Karen Kalopulu tells how to make best use of Auckland Central City Library’s extensive collection of family history resources.

Location: Blockhouse Community Library

Epsom : Back to school display – free
Saturday 15 to Sunday 30 September, 9am to 6pm weekdays, 10am to 4pm Saturday
Catch a glimpse from the past of Epsom's secondary schools, in a display coordinated by the Epsom and Eden District Historical Society.

Location: Epsom Community Library
Glen Innes show and tell photo display - free
Monday 24 to Friday 28 September, 9am to 4pm and Saturday 29, 10am to 4pm
Glen Innes Community Library will be collecting photos from people in the community to display in a “then and now” exhibition during the last week of the festival.

Grey Lynn clock celebration – free
Wednesday 26 September, 11am
Join us for morning tea at Grey Lynn Community Library to celebrate the installation of the Grey Lynn Community Library's clock, which completes our historic building.

Leys Institute building guided tour and photo exhibition – free
Thursday 20, 1pm to 1.30pm and Monday 24 September, 11.30am to noon
This wonderful building was built in 1905 and the tour covers the lecture hall, library, gymnasium and the basement area. Brought to you by Ponsonby Road Promotions and Auckland City Libraries. Location: Leys Institute Community Library

Mt Albert: Memories and stories – free
Monday to Friday, 9am to 7pm; Saturday, 10am to 4pm; Sunday, 12 to 4pm
Browse a display of photographs and memorabilia of old Mt Albert at the Mt Albert Community Library. Take part in recording of Mt Albert’s history. Leave your details with the Mt Albert Historical Society, to record your stories and memories after the festival.

Tom Gibbs: story of Onehunga
Tuesday 18 September, 1030am
Onehunga Historical Society will take you down memory lane through an audio visual of “Tom Gibbs: story of Onehunga”. Location: Onehunga Community Library.

Parnell in the 1970s – free
Saturday 15 to Sunday 30 September, 3pm to 4pm
Experience Parnell in the 1970s with a short video screening at Parnell Community Library.

Pavement art for kids – free
Wednesday 19 September, 1.30pm
A chance for children to get creative with chalk, to interpret Auckland's heritage at Grey Lynn Community Library. Rain date Thursday 20 September.

Photo exhibition and quiz
Saturday 15 to Sunday 30 September, 9am to 5.30pm weekdays, 10am to 4pm Saturday and Sunday
Test your knowledge of Auckland's heritage based on photographs displayed in Grey Lynn Community Library

Remuera: Heritage photography exhibition
Saturday 15 to Sunday 30 September, 9am to 5pm weekdays; 9am to 4pm Saturday
Auckland City Libraries, in conjunction with Remuera Heritage Inc and Garlands Designs, welcome you to enjoy a display of historical photos of Remuera. Relax at Peach Espresso Café and view further photos in their lounge area.

Location: Grey Lynn Community Library.

St Mary's College music recital – free
Tuesday 18 September, noon to 1pm
Students from year nine at St Mary's College, will perform a lunchtime recital of songs and instrumental music at Leys Institute Community Library.

Bookings essential. Phone the festival bookings line on (09) 307 7242 from 27 August.

Symonds Street cemetery tours - free
Tuesday 18, Thursday 20 and Tuesday 25 September, 1pm to 2.30pm
Local historian David Verran from the Central City Library leads an intriguing and popular tour through this prominent Auckland cemetery.

Bookings essential, phone the festival bookings line on (09) 307 7242 from 27 August. Meeting place: Advised on booking.

Telling tales - free
Wednesday 26 September, 6.30pm to 8pm
Renowned historian Professor Russell Stone presents his captivating new book “Logan Campbell’s Auckland: tales from the Early Years” (Auckland University Press). Followed by special guests, (including Bob Kerridge and Christine Caughey), sharing their favourite tales of the families who helped shape the Auckland of today.

Location: Central City Library. Bookings essential Phone the festival bookings line on (09) 307 7242 from 27 August.

The Legacy of Ranger
Wednesday 19 September, 5.30pm to 6.30pm
An author talk by Aroha Tercel and Sandra Gorter on their book, “The Legacy of Ranger.” From her launch in 1938 until around 1968, Ranger was the boat to beat on the Waitemata Harbour, and her statuesque beauty under sail gave no clue that she had been crafted in a Ponsonby backyard.

Location: Leys Institute Community Library.
Bookings essential. Phone the festival bookings line on (09) 307 7242 from 27 August.

The Turnbull of the North - free
Saturday 22 September, 11am to noon
Discover special collections at the Central City Library – a treasure trove of unique and rare books and documents. Gems include Shakespeare's first folio and the earliest printed work in New Zealand. A preview of the soon to be published “Real gold: treasures of Auckland City Libraries”.

Bookings essential. Phone the festival bookings line on (09) 307 7242 from 27 August.

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