The museum has a large collection of about 16,500 items ranging in size from teaspoons to tractors, but structural wiring, roofing and space woes caused its building in Renfrew St to be declared unfit for purpose and up for replacement in 2022.
"Given that a new museum may not have the required space, we are proposing [some] items be displayed at Naish Park," museum curator Roz McKechnie said in a project plan.
"Large items are unlikely to be stolen [and] would provide interest for the public and promote the museum.
"They can be housed in containers or sheds with a clear wall to view but not access."
The idea was discussed at a South Otago Historical Society committee meeting last week, along with options including hand-painted murals on the walls of the containers to illustrate the use and history of the items.
Other ideas included partnering with more local public spaces and lending museum items such as pioneer horse carriages and artefacts from the area’s early Māori settlers for temporary display.
The aim was to retain interest and grow visitor numbers for the groups involved.
