Horowhenua StarFoxton’s museum of audio-visual technology (MAVTech) is one of the town’s major attractions, but a shortage of volunteers means it’s not open to the public as much as it would like.
It’s hoped that will change soon as a board review looks at how the museum could appeal more to a wider audience. Getting more volunteers and letting people know about what the museum offers will be important.
MAVTech deputy chair Peter Mansell, left, and chair Martin Fifield, in front of some of the museum’s record collection. Photo Janine Baalbergen
“We are rather well-known in the museum world,” says chair Martin Fifield. “We get advice, meet with other museum operators and get donated show [display] cases as well as items from them.”
However, the museum is less well known to the general public, despite its fascinating audio-visual collection.
An old television camera at MAVTech. Photo Janine Baalbergen
Its archive of records and cassettes, and other storage devices, for example, is huge. There are even records of Theodore Roosevelt and Thomas Edison giving speeches. Some audio archives are on cylinders, rather than records or tapes.
The museum has records on display made by New Zealand artists, many of them Māori, and some made by Levin-based artists, who at some stage had their own record label. It also has all kinds of cameras, television sets, radios and gramophones.
There are five million feet (1.5 million metres) of old film reels and the museum cinema has three projectors, one for 35mm film and two carbon arc projectors from 1938.
MAVTech has monthly open days for the public and is often open for local events such as the Spring Fling. Visitors can experience various instruments in working order, such as the pianola.
And once a month it revives the old-fashioned cinema experience in its theatre, showing old films.
Recruiting volunteers will be important for MAVTech’s future. Anyone interested in audio visual technology, or is just prepared to help out, is welcome to join.
“New people can help us welcome visitors, and sell tickets,” says deputy chair Peter (Zeb) Mansell. “Volunteers need to be sociable, but don’t have to be experts in audio visual technology. If something takes your fancy, you can learn more while you are volunteering.
“Some volunteers can help us just once a month and usher cinema goers. We do it the old way, with torches . . . no fancy lighting showing you the way to your seat here after lights are out.”
Volunteers might be on their feet a lot, and there’s a few stairs to climb in sometimes low light conditions, especially during the cinema hours.
More volunteers will allow the museum to open more often.
Part of the museum has been revamped, thanks to donations of display cases from Te Papa. The team is slowly working its way through a wide range of record players, DVD devices and television sets, which will eventually get the same display cases.
As part of the review, Radio Foxton 105.4fm, run by MAVTech, has been put into recess.
“But we’re keeping the frequency,” Martin says. “We would like the station to make better use of items from our extensive collection, which are considerable.”
Horowhenua District Council owns the building and all the content belongs to the trust. The local community board and the council each have a representative on the MAVTech board.
The building is safe from earthquakes after steel beams had been installed.
It previously served as the Foxton town hall. Although known as the Coronation Hall, any connection of the building to a coronation is unknown.
A previous wooden building of the same name was built on the site in 1911 and destroyed by fire in 1926. The currently building dates from 1927 and has previously also been used as a cinema and a gymnasium.
The MAVTech museum was started by Peter Edwards, who also rescued the building from demolition. He redid the interior and restored the 1930s cinema seating.
A supper room next to the museum itself is currently used as storage but has a fully fitted kitchen so could be used for catering. The building can be hired for a party, and the cinema section of the main hall has seating for 200.
“We would love to have more groups visit,” Martin says. “We have had local schools in, rest homes by the van load, and many groups from Whanganui, Wairapapa and Wellington.”
MAVTech charges $10 for entry, but groups receive a discount that can be negotiated at the time of booking.
Visitors come from far and wide and include not just the curious, but also radio technicians, including people previously employed at the Himatanga radio station.
MAVTech, Coronation Hall, 1 Avenue Road, Foxton. For more information or if interested in volunteering, call 021 766 643, or email info@mactech.org.nz
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