The Coromandel Heritage Trust was formed in 2003 to establish THE TREASURY,
a purpose-built archive and family history centre in Thames, New Zealand. The Treasury preserves and promotes
the history and stories of the people in the Thames, Coromandel & Hauraki region - a region which
played such a big part in the early development of New Zealand.
The Treasury houses an ever-growing collection of resources relating to the early history of Thames and the entire Coromandel Region.
For the historical researcher, we have a large collection of history books and historical manuscripts as well as many resources to help research your family history, such as newspapers, magazines, photographs, Jubilee books, family records and certificates.
THE TREASURY is open for visitors and researchers.
EXCEPT: Public holidays, and between Xmas & New Year.
The Treasury, 705 - 709 Queen Street, Thames.
The New Treasury Archive Building
Click to enlarge the photo.
The Coromandel Heritage Trust is now one step away from its $1,100,000 project to build an archive adjoining The Treasury (formerly the Carnegie Library). Confirmation of a grant has just been received from Lotteries Environment and Heritage. The Trust has already received confirmation of grants from the Sir John Logan Campbell Residuary Trust and Trust Waikato. With some funds already in hand the Trust now needs to raise the final $200,000 as quickly as possible. Any individual, family group, business entity or organisation that would like to be part of this project by becoming a contributor please contact Trust Chairman Morrie Dunwoodie.
The Design:
The Trust’s brief to Architectus of Auckland was to design a building which would not impinge on the integrity of the Carnegie Building - in other words, the Carnegie Building would always stand out. They also had to take into consideration that an archive is just a very secure box with no windows and doors. Their team worked on the concept and came up with this modern design. One of the accepted ways of adding on to a heritage building is to design a modern building but with reference to the adjoining heritage building. Architectus took into consideration the vertical lines of the Carnegie Building by using a folded cladding, careful proportions, and with the joining passage between the two buildings made of glass to keep the individuality of the two buildings. The Carnegie building remains an elegant heritage building, and the archive a stylish modern building of 2012.
For further details and a floorplan, click on the above link.
SEARCH THE TREASURY WEBSITE:
JOIN THE COROMANDEL HERITAGE TRUST:
We encourage everyone, near and far, to join as a member of the Trust and to be a part of this great effort to preserve our heritage. Our running costs are
ongoing and, since we do not receive any regular funding, we are dependant on entry fees, subscriptions and donations to cover them. To become a member,
download an application form, fill it out and send it together with your subscription to The Coromandel Heritage
Trust, PO Box 75, Thames 3540, New Zealand. A special Trust newsletter called Footprints will then keep you abreast of all the new developments and the many
ways in which you could help.
History of the Carnegie Free Library in Thames
The original foundation stone for The Carnegie Free Library was laid in 1905 by James McGowan, the Minister of Mines and Justice.
Andrew Carnegie was a United States steel magnate and philanthropist who contributed £2000 to build a library for the people of Thames.
The contractor, J Fyfe and Sons built the Library for £1964. It was one of only three remaining Carnegie Libraries in New Zealand
when it last closed its doors in 1990.
Pictured above is the newly built Carnegie Free Library in 1905. Today it is a New Zealand Historic Places Trust Category II building.
Opening Ceremony for the Carnegie Free Library: The Mayor (Mr A. Burns) addressing the assemblage, Nov 2, 1905. Photo by Foy. From the Sir George Grey Special
Collections, Auckland Libraries, AWNS-1905-11-5.
