Warm up your winter with a healthy dose of heritage. Central Otago Heritage Trust has teamed up with our local museums to offer three events that put Central Otago’s heritage in the spotlight. For the price of a cup of coffee, we’ll make sure you’re kept cosy and that you leave knowing more about the fascinating place we call Central.

Dr. Mike Pole

Central Otago’s pre-historic treescape

Looking at Central Otago today, it’s hard to imagine that our dry barren landscape was once largely covered in kowhai trees that provided a valuable food source for moa. Dunedin born palaeontologist Dr. Mike Pole, shares his extensive research to provide a fascinating window into a pre-human eco-system which has entirely vanished.

Clyde Museum
Wednesday 20 July, 6:45pm

The Central Otago Heritage Trust AGM will take place at 5:15pm, immediately before this event.

Entry by koha, with proceeds going to Clyde Museum

Book your place now

Russell Garbutt

Documenting Central Otago’s History – Meet John McCraw, our unsung hero

The John McCraw Glacier in Antarctica is named after Dunedin born soil scientist and academic John Davidson McCraw (1925-2014). And yet, little is known about McCraw locally. After retiring from his position of emeritus professor at the University of Waikato, John devoted his time to researching the history of Central Otago.

He went on to publish about a dozen books on the history of the area and the wider Otago region and was acknowledged as the leading authority on the Alexandra district. Russell Garbutt sets the record straight by putting the life and works of John McCraw firmly in the spotlight.

Central Stories Museum & Art Gallery
Wednesday 3 August, 6:30pm

Entry by koha, with proceeds going to Central Stories Museum & Art Gallery

Book your place now

Dr. Charlotte King

Women on the Otago Goldfields – more than just objects of scandal

It’s easy to think that life on the goldfields was completely male dominated. Stories of hard labour, brotherly camaraderie, and lone men in hidden valleys striking it rich are a part of the romanticised popular view of the goldfields. Women are rarely included in this picture. Popular culture would have us believe the majority of them were employed as prostitutes or brothel owners. Dr. Charlotte King shares her research insights that define women on the goldfields as more than just objects of scandal.

Cromwell Museum
Wednesday 24 August,6:30pm

Entry by koha, with proceeds going to Central Stories Museum & Art Gallery

Book your place now