Blackball Museum of Working Class History facts for kids
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| Established | 1 May 2010 |
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| Location | 26 Hart Street Blackball, New Zealand |
| Type | Social history |
The Blackball Museum of Working Class History, also known as Mahi Tupuna, is a special museum. It is located in Blackball, a small town on the West Coast of New Zealand. The museum first opened its doors in May 2010. It celebrates the important role of everyday working people. It shows how their hard work helped build New Zealand and create its wealth.
Contents
How the Museum Started
The idea for the Blackball Museum began many years ago. In 2002, a group called the Blackball Museum of Working Class History Charitable Trust received money. This funding came from the New Zealand Lottery Grants Board, the Blackball Residents' Association, and the West Coast Development Trust. They used this money to see if a museum was possible.
Planning the Museum
A study to check if the museum could be built started in 2003. While they were planning, the trust also worked on collecting history. They recorded "oral histories," which are stories told by local people. These stories helped save important memories.
Opening Day and Memorials
In February 2010, the museum helped create a memorial. This memorial honored the 1908 coal miners' strike. The museum officially opened on May Day (May 1st) in 2010. May Day is a special day that celebrates workers around the world.
What You Can See at the Museum
The museum has many interesting things to see. Its exhibits tell the story of the 1908 miners' strike. This strike was very important. It led to the creation of a group of miners. This group later became the Federation of Labour in 1909. This was a big step for workers' rights in New Zealand.
Coal Mining History
There is a permanent exhibition about Blackball's coal mining history. This part of the museum always stays the same. It shows what life was like for coal miners. There is also a changing exhibition. This means it changes over time. It might be about a local issue or a political topic.
Remembering Workers
The museum also has a special memorial wheel. This wheel honors all the people who have died while working in New Zealand. There is a special section for the 29 miners. These miners tragically died in the Pike River Mine disaster on November 19, 2010. An annual ceremony is held at the memorial. This ceremony remembers the disaster and those who were lost. The museum also hosts an annual May Day Ceremony and a discussion forum.
