On display

Whanganui Regional Museum

A modernised museum exterior preserving the best of the old and bringing the paint system into the modern day was just what the local Council ordered for the Whanganui Regional Museum.

Resene AquaShield flat mineral effect finish adorns exterior walls in a palette of Resene Half Pravda (grey brown) complemented by Resene Pravda (sober beige) on the base and cappings, Resene Quarter Pravda (pale brown neutral) on cornices, Resene Masala (murky grey brown) on joinery and Resene Speed Demon (mahogany red) as an accent on hand rails. The water repellent properties of Resene AquaShield provides a self-cleaning effect; moisture touches the surface, beads and runs away, taking lightly adhered dirt with it, keeping the surface cleaner.

The private collection of local jeweller and businessman Samuel Drew formed the initial Wanganui Public Museum collection in 1892. A year of intensive fundraising later, the collection moved into its home in Wicksteed Place, later renamed Drews Avenue. The Museum collection continued to grow and another larger home was sought. In 1917, the generosity of a bequeath from Miss Elizabeth Alexander provided for a city library and museum. The R G Talboys' designed Alexander Museum was finished in 1928. Four further decades of collection building followed, necessitating a major extension to the building in 1968 to provide room for all the treasures. The official name Wanganui Regional Museum was adopted shortly thereafter until 1992 when Wanganui became Whanganui reflecting the Maori and the official regional spelling.

Painting Contractor: Alan Tong Ltd
Resene: Kylie James, Wanganui ColorShop Manager
From the Resene News – issue 3/2007