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| On 22 November, 1880, Judge F.D. Fenton met with 47 Māori leaders to discuss a proposal supporting the creation of a township; resulting in ] gifting 50 acres of land along the southern shores of ].<ref name=":2" /> The area, formerly known as the Sanatorium Reserve, is today named the ], and is the land that the Rotorua Museum stands on.<ref name=":2" /> | On 22 November, 1880, Judge F.D. Fenton met with 47 Māori leaders to discuss a proposal supporting the creation of a township; resulting in ] gifting 50 acres of land along the southern shores of ].<ref name=":2" /> The area, formerly known as the Sanatorium Reserve, is today named the ], and is the land that the Rotorua Museum stands on.<ref name=":2" /> | ||
| === The |
=== The Bath House and Museum === | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| 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.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=The Thermal History Of Rotorua |url=https://puresource.co.nz/the-thermal-history-of-rotorua/#:~:text=A%20THERMAL%20SPA%20DESTINATION,rotoruamuseum.co.nz). |access-date=2024-12-15 |website=Pure Source |language=en-US}}</ref> It is noted as the first major investment in the New Zealand tourism industry by the government.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date= |title=Rotorua Museum website |url=http://www.rotoruamuseum.co.nz/visit-us/taking-the-cure/the-bath-house-story/ |access-date= |website=}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Taonga |first=New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu |title=Population and society |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/volcanic-plateau-region/page-12 |access-date=2024-12-15 |website=teara.govt.nz |language=en}}</ref> The Bath House was known for its therapeutic treatments using water sourced from surrounding thermal springs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Bath House Story |url=https://www.rotoruamuseum.co.nz/discover/taking-the-cure/the-bath-house-story/ |access-date=2024-12-15 |website=Rotorua Museum |language=en}}</ref> The bath treatments were thought to be able to successfully treat ], ], ], ], ], Nerve Trouble, Spinal Curvature, and ].<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 13, 1915 |title=Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WC19150513.2.34.4 |access-date=October 15, 2024 |work=Wanganui Chronicle |pages=4}}</ref> The north wing accommodated male patients, while women were treated in the south wing.<ref name=":2" /> | 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.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=The Thermal History Of Rotorua |url=https://puresource.co.nz/the-thermal-history-of-rotorua/#:~:text=A%20THERMAL%20SPA%20DESTINATION,rotoruamuseum.co.nz). |access-date=2024-12-15 |website=Pure Source |language=en-US}}</ref> It is noted as the first major investment in the New Zealand tourism industry by the government.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date= |title=Rotorua Museum website |url=http://www.rotoruamuseum.co.nz/visit-us/taking-the-cure/the-bath-house-story/ |access-date= |website=}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Taonga |first=New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu |title=Population and society |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/volcanic-plateau-region/page-12 |access-date=2024-12-15 |website=teara.govt.nz |language=en}}</ref> The Bath House was known for its therapeutic treatments using water sourced from surrounding thermal springs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Bath House Story |url=https://www.rotoruamuseum.co.nz/discover/taking-the-cure/the-bath-house-story/ |access-date=2024-12-15 |website=Rotorua Museum |language=en}}</ref> The bath treatments were thought to be able to successfully treat ], ], ], ], ], Nerve Trouble, Spinal Curvature, and ].<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 13, 1915 |title=Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WC19150513.2.34.4 |access-date=October 15, 2024 |work=Wanganui Chronicle |pages=4}}</ref> The north wing accommodated male patients, while women were treated in the south wing.<ref name=":2" /> | ||
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| Now, 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.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last=Somerville |first=Ann |title=Taking the Cure: The Story of the Rotorua Bath House |publisher=Rotorua Museum of Art & History Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa |year=1997 |isbn=0-473-05033-1 |location=Rotorua}}</ref> In 1988, the museum and gallery combined to form the Rotorua Museum of Art and History Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa.<ref name="about">, Rotorua Museum, New Zealand.</ref><ref name=":2" /> | Now, 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.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last=Somerville |first=Ann |title=Taking the Cure: The Story of the Rotorua Bath House |publisher=Rotorua Museum of Art & History Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa |year=1997 |isbn=0-473-05033-1 |location=Rotorua}}</ref> In 1988, the museum and gallery combined to form the Rotorua Museum of Art and History Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa.<ref name="about">, Rotorua Museum, New Zealand.</ref><ref name=":2" /> | ||
| == The Rotorua Museum == | === The Rotorua Museum today === | ||
| The Rotorua Museum is a ] building that has been called the most impressive ] building in New Zealand,<ref name="NZHPT 141">{{NZHPT|141|The Bath House (Former)|31 August 2019}}</ref> and the most photographed building in New Zealand.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kirkby-McLeod |first1=Libby |title=Why are some of our most famous buildings just sitting empty? |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/493242/why-are-some-of-our-most-famous-buildings-just-sitting-empty |access-date=14 December 2024 |website=RNZ |publisher=Radio New Zealand}}</ref> | The Rotorua Museum is a ] building that has been called the most impressive ] building in New Zealand,<ref name="NZHPT 141">{{NZHPT|141|The Bath House (Former)|31 August 2019}}</ref> and the most photographed building in New Zealand.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kirkby-McLeod |first1=Libby |title=Why are some of our most famous buildings just sitting empty? |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/493242/why-are-some-of-our-most-famous-buildings-just-sitting-empty |access-date=14 December 2024 |website=RNZ |publisher=Radio New Zealand}}</ref> | ||
Revision as of 02:41, 22 January 2025
 Front view of the timber-framed Rotorua Museum, previously the Bath House, from the Government Gardens. | |
| Former name | Rotorua Museum of Art & History Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa |
|---|---|
| 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
Early history
On 22 November, 1880, Judge F.D. Fenton met with 47 Māori leaders to discuss a proposal supporting the creation of a township; resulting in Ngāti Whakaue gifting 50 acres of land along the southern shores of Lake Rotorua. The area, formerly known as the Sanatorium Reserve, is today named the Government Gardens, and is the land that the Rotorua Museum stands on.
The Bath House and Museum
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. The bath treatments were thought to be able to successfully treat Rheumatism, Indigestion, Constipation, Obesity, Sciatica, Nerve Trouble, Spinal Curvature, and Neuritis. The north wing accommodated male patients, while women were treated in the south wing.
Due to the sulfur corroding the metal piping, the building became too difficult to maintain, and it closed down in 1966.
Now, 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 Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa.
The Rotorua Museum today
The Rotorua Museum 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
- ^ Somerville, Ann (1997). Taking the Cure: The Story of the Rotorua Bath House. Rotorua: Rotorua Museum of Art & History Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa. ISBN 0-473-05033-1.
- ^ "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.