Historical Society

The Historical Society was formed in the mid-1970's and was incorporated in 1977.  The Whitianga Lions Club had begun a Lions Project in 1971 and had raised sufficient funding by 1978 to purchase the Mercury Bay Dairy Factory Building. The land and buildings were officially transferred by deed of trust to Thames Coromandel District Council (TCDC) in perpetuity and forever to be used as a museum. The museum opened in 1979 and has continued operation ever since.

The Historical Society operates and manages the museum on behalf of the community and the museum is staffed by volunteers on a rota basis.

With over 6000 visitors per annum, the museum is the most visited on the Coromandel Peninsula.

The current development project is the culmination of discussions over the years on how to best present the ever-growing collection of local and national significance.

The display of Maori artefacts is limited by space and is a major consideration in the plans. Ngati Hei will be an integral part of the project and it is expected that several items of major national and local significance will return to Mercury Bay for display in the museum.

Significant collections relating to Captain Cook's arrival, the Kauri and Gum industries and Gold mining, along with industrial and social history displays are held by the Society and the project will enable them to be displayed in a manner that befits their role in NZ history.

New Members are always welcome, call in at the museum for more information or e-mail info@mercurybaymuseum.co.nz