Central Otago Museums Trust chairwoman Jane Lancaster said, in a statement, the exhibition was about more than finding special objects.
"This exhibition is a great example of what our five museums can achieve by working together. It offers a unique opportunity to share the stories that have shaped our communities."
It was also part of a broader effort to strengthen collection management practices in all the district’s museums, which would ensure the long-term preservation of the museum’s holdings, while reigniting interest in the rich, often untold stories held within the region's museums.
"Thanks to funding we received from the Central Otago District Council and the Ministry of Culture and Heritage, we’ve been able to co-ordinate extensive training for museum staff and volunteers in key areas such as photography, cataloguing, digitisation, research and storytelling, label writing, and exhibition display techniques," she said.
Each object had been chosen to tell a compelling story about the district’s past, offering an insightful and diverse exploration of Central Otago’s heritage. The museums — Central Stories Museum & Art Gallery in Alexandra, Clyde Museum, Cromwell Museum, Maniototo Early Settlers Association in Naseby and Teviot District Museum in Roxburgh — had each chosen their items and would display them until April next year.
