MOTAT'S Gum, Grit and Gold – a Colonial Experience

17 September 2012

Celebrate the Past at MOTAT'S Gum, Grit and Gold – a Colonial Experience

Do your children know that in Victorian times, butter was made by hand-shaking milk and that clothes used to be washed by hand with a washboard?

Let them experience the fun of colonial life for themselves at MOTAT’s September Holiday Experience ‘Gum, Grit, Gold – A Colonial Experience,’ as a part of the 2012 Auckland Heritage Festival.

From 29 September - 14 October 2012, families can get along to MOTAT’s Holiday Experience and learn about New Zealand’s history through a range of exciting activities including digging for gum, searching for gold, trading at the colonial exchange and butter making.

MOTAT Marketing Manager Deanna Wharton says the ‘Gum, Grit and Gold – A Colonial Experience’ Holiday Experience is a great way to get kids thinking about the differences between modern day life and what life was like before washing machines and dishwashers were around.

“Gum Grit and Gold – A Colonial Experience will be a fascinating and hands-on Holiday Experience that will show kids how special colonial life was and how much things have changed over the years.

“A number of children who have grown up in the 21st century take for granted the technology we have available to us that makes everyday life simpler. It will be a memorable experience for them to come to MOTAT and see the enormous leaps and bounds that transport and technology have made since colonial times and their effects on society,” says Mrs Wharton.

MOTAT’s interactive Holiday Experience will have visitors getting creative and constructing an early musical instrument in MOTAT’s Make and Take activity.

“We know kids and adults alike will have a great time experiencing all of the entertaining activities and games on offer at Gum Grit and Gold – A Colonial Experience. We’ll also have colonial characters sharing the fun at MOTAT including a cheeky merchant, a strict school teacher and a colonial woman who will be demonstrating aspects of early life in Auckland, such as clothes being washed with a washboard,” says Mrs Wharton.

What’s more, visitors will be able to take part in Victorian games, horse and carriage rides, and witness a real penny farthing rider and blacksmith in action.

Gum, Grit and Gold – A Colonial Experience is a feature of the 2012 Auckland Heritage Festival, which includes events across the region and is an opportunity for Aucklanders to celebrate and remember our past, and discover our unique heritage.

Each school holidays, MOTAT presents a different themed Holiday Experience, inviting visitors to learn and experience a different aspect of the world of transport and technology. Always accompanied by thrilling activities and entertainment, MOTAT’s Holiday Experiences are a must for every Kiwi family.

MOTAT visitors can enjoy ‘Gum, Grit and Gold – A Colonial Experience’ as part of their general admission fee to MOTAT. More information about MOTAT or the 2012 Auckland Heritage Festival can be found at www.motat.org.nz and www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/heritagefestival

Dates
29 September -14 October 2012

Location
MOTAT, Great North Road and Meola Rd, Western Springs, Auckland

Cost
You can take part in MOTAT’s ‘Gum, Grit, Gold – A Colonial Experience’ including MOTAT’s Make and Take activity free with normal admission costs to MOTAT.

MOTAT entry fees:
$14 adults
$8 students/children 5-16
$7 seniors
$FREE children under 5
$35 family pass (2 adults, 4 children)
$65 MOTAT Mates annual family pass

ENDS

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