A modest-looking telescope crafted from a drainpipe will take centre stage this month at Whanganui Regional Museum — revealing the remarkable ingenuity of one of Whanganui’s most significant amateur astronomers of his time.

The featured taonga in the Museum’s Taonga o te Marama / Object of the Month talk series, the telescope was made around 1900 by pioneering amateur astronomer and telescope maker, Joseph Thomas Ward (1862–1927).

Ward emigrated from London to Whanganui as a young man and became a driving force behind local astronomy. He helped found both the Whanganui Astronomical Society and the Whanganui Observatory at Cooks Gardens — now known as Ward Observatory — which officially opened in 1903.

Though humble in appearance, the handmade telescope tells a powerful story of innovation and determination. Crafted at a time when scientific instruments were prohibitively expensive, it appears to have been fashioned from a drainpipe — a clever and economical solution reflecting Ward’s resourcefulness.

The telescope, along with associated lenses, a prism and a small field telescope, was donated by Ward’s grandson, Ash Ward, offering insight into the experimentation and craftsmanship that defined his life’s work.

Maeve Egan, Kaihāpai Taonga/Curator, Social and Natural History, who will present the March talk, says Ward’s legacy continues to inspire, ‘This telescope reminds us that scientific discovery doesn’t always begin with expensive equipment — it begins with curiosity. Joseph Ward’s passion for astronomy and his determination to make it accessible helped shape Whanganui’s scientific community. His story is one of ingenuity, perseverance, and vision.’

Taonga o te Marama/Object of the Month is held on the third Friday of every month and offers a fresh way to connect with the Museum’s collections. Each session follows a popular 15-minute lunchtime format, beginning at 12.15pm. Visitors meet in the Museum atrium before gathering around the featured object to hear its story.

Maeve’s talk will take place at 12.15pm on Friday 20 March at Whanganui Regional Museum. Visitors are encouraged to arrive a few minutes early.

Attendance is free and open to all. No booking is required. Koha to support the Museum’s ongoing heritage preservation work is warmly welcomed.

Event Details

12.15pm, Friday 20 March, 2026
Whanganui Regional Museum
Admission is free | Koha is always appreciated