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 in Blackball, New Zealand. Blackball is a small town on the West Coast of New Zealand. This museum opened in May 2010. It celebrates the important role of working people in building New Zealand and creating its wealth. It shows how their efforts helped shape the country we know today.
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How the Museum Started
The idea for the Blackball Museum began 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 study if a museum would be a good idea.
In 2003, they started a detailed study to plan the museum. While they were planning, the trust also worked on collecting history. They recorded oral histories, which are stories told by local people about their lives and experiences.
In February 2010, the museum helped set up a memorial. This memorial honored the coal miners' strike of 1908. The museum officially opened on May Day (May 1st) in 2010. May Day is also known as International Workers' Day.
What You Can See at the Museum
The museum has many interesting displays. These exhibits tell the story of the 1908 miners' strike. This strike was a very important event. It led to the creation of a group of miners called a federation. This group later became the Federation of Labour in 1909. This organization helped workers across New Zealand.
Coal Mining History
There is a permanent exhibition at the museum. This means it's always there for visitors to see. It focuses on Blackball's long history of coal mining. Mining was a very important job in this area.
Changing Exhibitions and Memorials
The museum also has a changing exhibition. This display changes over time. It might be about a local issue or a political topic.
A special part of the museum is a memorial wheel. This wheel remembers 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. The memorial is a place where people gather every year. They hold a ceremony to remember those who were lost in the disaster. The museum also hosts an annual May Day Ceremony and a discussion forum.
