August Feature: The Williams Barrel Organ

Discover the extraordinary story of the Williams Barrel Organ—New Zealand’s first barrel organ, brought to Aotearoa in 1830 and still still able to bring to life hymns heard almost 200 years ago.

Join Kaihāpai Taonga | Curator of Social and Natural History Maeve Egan, as she uncovers its journey from England to the Williams brothers in the Bay of Islands and eventually to Whanganui, revealing the people, music and memories carried by an object that has truly given history a voice. The talk will conclude with an opportunity to hear the historic organ played, bringing its story to life.

Taonga o te Marama/Object of the Month is a free 15-minute lunchtime talk held on the third Friday of each month. Visitors meet in the Museum atrium for the talk, then view the featured object in the gallery.

Everyone is welcome. No need to book. Admission is free. Koha for the Museum is always appreciated.

Every month, discover a different object, meet the curators, and hear the stories that bring our collections to life!