Heritage et AL

Image:  A postcard from 1906 of Lake Pupuke. The caption reads: F.T. Series. No 2720. A portion of Lake Takapuna, from Lake House. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 1743-044. It’s hard to picture now, but there was a time when Takapuna was a remote, sparsely populated coastal settlement – valued for its natural beauty that offered an interlude from the bustle of Auckland. In the late 19th century, reaching the area meant a ferry to Devonport followed by a cart ride along rough coastal roads. Even so, it drew those seeking sea air, scenic views, and quiet respite from the growing city. Image: A series of sketches from Takapuna. 1. Lake Road. 2 and 3. Lake Takapuna. 4. Lake Beach. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections NZG-18930225-0180-01. Photographer: New Zealand Graphic. Among the earliest buildings in the area was Lake House, a gracious Victorian villa of kauri, purpose-built as a seaside boarding house. Situated at the northern end of Takapuna Beach, it stood only a sh...

This Sunday Auckland Libraries will be down at Viaduct Harbour for A day at the beach . Ref: Stapley Farmer, Apprentices picnic, 1960s?, Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 1056-32. To celebrate over 100 years of New Zealand’s beach fashion and the exhibition 'At the Beach' , the Maritime Museum will be bringing the beach to the city centre for Labour weekend. The exhibition will be on display across the Maritime Museum, and has been devised and produced in conjunction with the New Zealand Fashion Museum . Ref: Group in car at Takapuna Beach, c1960s, North Auckland Research Centre, Auckland Libraries, T6843.

The few weeks over Christmas and New Year are a popular time for many in New Zealand to take some time off from work and, weather permitting, enjoy some fun in the sun. So whether you’re working through the summer holidays, at the bach or even in a different hemisphere we hope you enjoy this collection of images of New Zealand summer holidays. Last week we wrote about the interesting story behind the Riverhead Dump photograph collection . All of the images in this post are also from that collection.  Ref: Sports car, Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 1055-136. Ref: Auckland Harbour Bridge, 1960s, Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 1055-109.

Sir George Grey Special Collections recently acquired a wonderful collection of colour slides taken by Ron Clark mostly in the nineteen-fifties, sixties and seventies. They are accessible via the  Heritage Images  database. Ref: Ron Clark, Oakura Bay,  1950s, Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 1207-1227 Ref: Ron Clark,  Muriel Clark at the wheel of a Humber Hawk ,  about 1956, Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 1207-12 Photographs from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries are a strong part of the Sir George Grey Special Collections image collection. The Ron Clark slides span the mid-twentieth century, filling a time period gap in Auckland Libraries' photograph collections. Life in New Zealand is captured in wide-ranging ways. There are scenes showing urban and rural activities, family gatherings and outings, interior shots of homes, churches and hospital wards, beach visits, overseas holi...

The waterfront has changed much over the years and some parts more so than others. The selection of heritage images below shows you the views you would have experienced throughout the early 1900s   Mechanics Bay and Hobson Bay: Ref: 1-W1309, looking east from the Ferry Buildings down Quay Street East and over Mechanics Bay, 1912, Sir George Grey Special Collections Ref: 1-W1368, looking north east from the Cargen Hotel showing Beach Rd (right foreground) and reclamations in Mechanics Bay (left), 1913, Sir George Grey Special Collections Ref: 1-W1858, showing men breaking down Campbell's Point for the new railway outlet with Quay Street East on the right, 1927, Sir George Grey Special Collections

Have you been enjoying the beaches this summer? Relaxing, paddling, swimming, fishing and having picnics on the beach are all part of a great Kiwi summer. Enjoy these heritage images from Auckland Libraries as you kick back and plan your next trip to the beach. Having fun at the beach: Ref: T0213, passengers from the SS Condor alighting at Takapuna Wharf, Takapuna, c. 1910, North Auckland Research Centre Ref: 4-618, looking east along Okahu Bay, 1901, Sir George Grey Special Collections Ref: 35-R349, having fun on the beach at Sumner, Christchurch, c. 1916, Sir George Grey Special Collections Ref: T0502, Milford Beach looking south east towards Rangitoto Island, 1922, North Auckland Research Centre