From humble beginnings
The organisation has its roots in the privately-owned Katikati Heritage Museum.
In 2010 the venture became a community-owned establishment staffed by volunteers but the museum was failing and there was a risk the collection of historical importance would be lost forever if it was disbanded.
Led by Paula Gaelic, the museum was temporarily closed and a team of dedicated locals spent 2 years sorting, identifying and cataloguing thousands of items from the collection (including over 8,000 glass bottles) and deciding which ones were important enough to be kept for a new museum.
Through sheer perseverance, determination, bravery and hard work, the funding and location for a new museum were secured. The aim was to create a high quality establishment that was owned by the community, for the community.
From humble beginnings, Paula and her team have created the unique and inspiring museum you see today.