Whanganui Regional Museum will be temporarily closed on Friday, 28 February to allow for the installation of large display cabinetry in preparation for an exciting new exhibition. A specialist spider crane will be operating in the museum’s atrium to lift the exhibition structures into place. The Museum will reopen as usual at 10am on Saturday, 1 March.

The Museum is usually open daily all year round and is only closed on Good Friday and Christmas Day. While this temporary closure is an unusual step, it marks a key milestone in the development of Past, Present, Pose, an upcoming exhibition that will replace Dressed to Thrill.

Kaihāpai Taonga/Curator, Maeve Egan, who is leading the exhibition’s development, is enthusiastic about its potential to bring history to life through fashion. “Past, Present, Pose will showcase the evolution of fashion in Whanganui, weaving together garments from our collection with personal stories and social history. We’re taking inspiration from modern fashion shows to create a dynamic and immersive experience for visitors.”

The exhibition will re-present nine garments from the Museum’s popular Outfit of the Month series, displayed across three different eras. Visitors will be able to step into the world of past styles and trends, engaging with history in a contemporary and interactive setting.

Maeve, who joined the Museum in October last year, is a recent master’s graduate of Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington’s Museum and Heritage Practice programme. “This will be my first exhibition at Whanganui Regional Museum, and I’m thrilled to bring together these incredible garments in a new way,” she said.

The Museum appreciates the community’s understanding and looks forward to welcoming visitors back on Saturday 1 March to continue exploring Whanganui’s rich cultural heritage.