Wellington Heritage Week: Campus history, ghosts, and beer
Wellington Heritage Week kicks off on Monday 25 October (Labour Day) with a number of Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington students and staff contributing to the festival’s eclectic and exciting programme.
Wellington School of Architecture senior lecturer Robin Skinner is hosting a Kelburn Campus Walking Tour, recounting the events and leading figures that have contributed to the site’s development, from the establishment of Victoria University College to today.
Students in the University’s Masters of Museum Heritage programme have partnered with Waitoa Brewing Company to create a series of specially brewed, historically inspired beers that will be launched alongside a pub quiz.
Students and staff from the Wellington Faculty of Architecture and Design Innovation will be giving a free public talk at Futuna Chapel about creating 3D virtual reality models to document heritage buildings.
As part of the internship component of their degree, Masters of Museum and Heritage Studies students have also been involved with organising the festival, including a tour of Brewtown and a ‘halloweird and wonderful’ ghost tour in partnership with the Fear Factory on Cuba Street.
Festival Director David Batchelor, who is currently completing his PhD on local government heritage policy at the University’s Wellington School of Architecture, says, “Te Herenga Waka’s innovative learning environment reflects the ethos of the festival, as we welcome the public to discover the region’s people, places and stories. We’ve benefited from tapping into knowledge and ideas from across the University. Professor Marc Aurel Schnabel, Dean of the Wellington Faculty of Architecture and Design Innovation, and Robyn Cockburn from the Stout Research Centre have been instrumental in this.”
Be in quick—some events (including a night in the attic at Old Government Buildings, home of the University’s Law School) are already sold out. Check the event listings on the festival’s website for booking information.