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Revision as of 02:09, 22 January 2025
 Front view of the timber-framed Rotorua Museum, previously the Bath House, from the Government Gardens. | |
| Former name | Rotorua Bath House |
|---|---|
| Established | November 1979 (1979-11) |
| Location | Rotorua |
| Coordinates | 38°8′8.2″S 176°15′32.4″E / 38.135611°S 176.259000°E / -38.135611; 176.259000 |
| Type | Art museum, Taonga, Social History |
The Rotorua Museum Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa is a local museum and art gallery in the Government Gardens near the centre of Rotorua, New Zealand.
History
The Bath House
The Bath House, which opened in 1908, was New Zealand's first spa facility, and at its peak, it attracted between 60,000 and 80,000 visitors annually. It is noted as the first major investment in the New Zealand tourism industry by the government. These numbers reflect the popularity of the site given that Rotorua's population was 4,700 in 1926, growing to 12,302 by 1956 - a decade before the Bath House closed. The Bath House was known for its therapeutic treatments using water sourced from surrounding thermal springs. However, due to the sulfur corroding the metal piping, the building became too difficult to maintain, and it closed down in 1966.
During its existence, the bath treatments were thought to be able to successfully treat Rheumatism, Indigestion, Constipation, Obesity, Sciatica, Nerve Trouble, Spinal Curvature, and Neuritis.
The Rotorua Museum
The Rotorua Museum is housed in the former Bath House building. Rotorua Museum opened in the south wing of the Bath House in 1969; Rotorua Art Gallery opened in the north wing in 1977. In 1988, the museum and gallery combined to form the Rotorua Museum of Art and History.
It is a half-timbered building that has been called the most impressive Elizabethan Revival building in New Zealand, and the most photographed building in New Zealand.
The museum is run by the Rotorua District Council. It has collections covering fine arts, photography, social history, and Taonga objects from the Māori culture.
The museum was closed in 2016 due to not meeting New Zealand earthquake standards. In 2023 the Rotorua Lakes Council committed to continuing and completing repairs to the building to enable it to reopen.
Rotorua's first balneologist
In 1902, Dr Arthur Wohlmann, an expert in balneotherapy, was employed by the New Zealand government, subsequently leaving his home in London to move to Rotorua. Wohlmann had worked at the Royal Hospital at Bath, and was to bring his experience and expertise to advise on the development of thermal spas. In Europe, spas had become fashionable meeting places for the middle and upper classes to treat illnesses, diseases or simply as a social activity. As such, the New Zealand government hoped that the development of a Bath House would appeal to wealthy tourists who could afford to stay in Rotorua for two or three weeks and use the baths to treat their physical or psychological needs.
Despite Wohlmann being considered the most distinguished balneologist available, he was fired by the government in 1912 due to the fact they could pay a younger and less experienced balneologist for half the price.
References
- ^ "The Thermal History Of Rotorua". Pure Source. Retrieved 2024-12-15.
- "Rotorua Museum website".
- Taonga, New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu. "Population and society". teara.govt.nz. Retrieved 2024-12-15.
- "The Bath House Story". Rotorua Museum. Retrieved 2024-12-15.
- "Page 4 Advertisements Column 4". Wanganui Chronicle. May 13, 1915. p. 4. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
- ^ About Us, Rotorua Museum, New Zealand.
- "The Bath House (Former)". New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero. Heritage New Zealand. Retrieved 31 August 2019.
- Kirkby-McLeod, Libby. "Why are some of our most famous buildings just sitting empty?". RNZ. Radio New Zealand. Retrieved 14 December 2024.
- "Rotorua Museum to remain closed following detailed assessment - Rotorua Museum". Rotorua Museum. 2017-07-07. Archived from the original on 25 February 2021. Retrieved 2018-03-03.
- "Rotorua Museum: Council votes to restore and re-open Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa". RNZ. 2023-08-03. Retrieved 2023-08-31.
- Taonga, New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu. "Arthur Wohlmann, government balneologist". teara.govt.nz. Retrieved 2024-12-15.
- ^ "The Spa". Rotorua Museum. Retrieved 2024-12-15.
- "PARS ABOUT PEOPLE". Observer. October 26, 1912. p. 4. Retrieved December 15, 2024.