If the society was launched, its long-term objective would be to collect, preserve and display the history of Kingston and surrounding areas, from Wye Creek to the north, down to Garston and Athol in the south, in a dedicated heritage museum.
About 40 residents attended and 10 apologies were given at the meeting in the the township's community rooms on Sunday. The number attending "exceeded expectations", said society instigator and meeting facilitator Peter Gibson, of Kingston.
Southland Museum and Art Gallery education co-ordinator Colin Anderson gave valuable insights as guest speaker and it was hoped he would join the project as he had a holiday home in the village.
Mr Gibson said the Queenstown Lakes District Council principal rural fire officer, Gordon Bailey, indicated the first fire engine based in Kingston, a 1951 Land Rover, could be displayed in the proposed museum.
Attendees said they had memorabilia to offer and a former Kingston man now living in Woodend, Canterbury, was known to have amassed a large collection of historical items and he would be approached as well.
Mr Gibson said the Lakes District Museum, Arrowtown, was "excellent" and would be contacted. The Kingston Flyer was part of the township's heritage, though the museum would not be based exclusively on the vintage steam train, he said.
A site for the museum had not been chosen and "there's going to be a lot of fundraising and planning before we can speculate on a date for opening."
However, "my expectations are we will see it through" as Kingston rallied behind the construction of its new $350,000 emergency services centre. The museum would preserve the area's history and become an extra tourist attraction, he said.
The second meeting to form the Kingston and Districts Historical Society would be held in the community rooms on Sunday, December 4, at 10.30am and be open to all. A committee and executive officers would be selected, subscriptions set up and the application to become an incorporated society would be tabled.
Mr Gibson invited anyone who wanted to support the society to call him on (03) 248-8819.
