In response to demand we are thrilled to offer members two repeat tours with Te Papa Archivist Jennifer Twist.
Have you ever wondered what treasures lie within the Museum’s archives? Te Papa’s Archive holds fascinating collections of papers and records from the Colonial Museum and predecessor organisations of Te Papa together with Collected Archives acquired by the Museum to support its wider collections.
The Museum Archive contains research material gathered by Museum staff, archives of the National Art Gallery since its opening in 1936, the early archives of the New Zealand Institute and the Wellington Philosophical Society as well as holding Sir James Hector’s records from 1857 to 1903. The Collected Archives hold artists collection, fashion archival material and much more.
Jennifer Twist, Archivist, will highlight some of the historical museum records and the Collected Archives. Some of these highlights may include works from Charles Darwin, Hector’s letter books, botanist Nancy Adams’ watercolours of beautiful plant specimens, Lois White’s sketches and much more.
Jennifer started at Te Papa in 1998 as a Records Advisor, before being appointed as the Records Manager. In 2002, after the resignation of former Archivist Eamonn Bolger, Jennifer was appointed into the position of Archivist. Over the past years many changes have taken place within the management of archives especially with regards to the management of information in a digital environment.
Feature image: Detail from: Red seaweed – Cryptonemiaceae – Cryptonemia latissima, Cryptonemia sp., by Nancy Adams, watercoulour. Te Papa (CA000892/001/0085)