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Thames Historical Museum
The Thames Historical Museum was gifted with
a sparkling new exhibit to showcase the well
crafted building models created by Ted Egan,
shown above working in his woodshop.
The donation came thanks to the new
“Heritage Rescue” TV programme, with host
Brigid Gallagher seen left interviewing Egan.
While often mentioned as an important
part of the tourist asset of Thames,
‘heritage’, as a concept, languishes in
the visitor’s mind and community rather than
being seen as vital and an important feature of
the identity of the town.
In seeking to address this, the Thames Museum
Society committee, under the leadership of
Morgan Lewis, was thrilled when the museum
caught the eye of TV producers at Top Shelf
Productions.
TED EGAN’S MODELS TO BE FOCUS OF FILM
Top Shelf Productions is producing a series
called “Heritage Rescue”, and the Thames
Museum is to be the subject of the first
programme in the series, hosted by “Time
Teams” presenter Brigid Gallagher, which is
to air sometime in 2016 on Choice TV and
Sky Network. The programme will focus on
a number of wooden models of heritage
buildings, long since disappeared from Thames’
streetscapes, and constructed by local retired
builder Ted Egan (see below).
The heritage advisors for Top Shelf Productions
have, as part of the programme, created a
display, titled “Building Thames”, featuring the
building models with period images and a large
street map as part of the Ted Egan Gallery.
Lewis is thrilled with the outcome saying that
this contemporary display will be a huge draw
card for visitors. He also commented that the
work of Top Shelf Productions in creating the
display has empowered the committee and
membership to continue to develop modern
display features that enhance the interpretation
of the wonderful history of Thames.
As part of the construction of the programme,
local people were interviewed to give context to
several of the buildings featured in the display
with stories. Local businessman and amateur
history buff, Dennis Larking, presents a story
about Captain Butt and the Shortland Hotel,
which is located on the corner of Grey and
Pollen Streets, the centre of the Shortland town
in 1867-1868.
As the builder of these spectacular replica
model buildings, Egan says that his interest
came about because his forebears, who came
to Thames in 1867, would have lived amongst
these beautiful Victorian buildings that would
have been a part of their everyday life. Having
long since disappeared from our heritage
landscape, the buildings deserved to be brought
back into the consciousness of Thames locals.
Working from sometimes poor quality images,
Egan’s work has captured a good level of
architectural detail so that, with the period
images, the “Building Thames” display will allow
visitors to get close to Victorian era Thames.
The last word goes to Lewis who is enthusiastic
about the history of Thames, and the museum’s
role is displaying it: “Visit the museum, see the
Ted Egan Gallery, and develop a wonder for our
marvellous local history.”
ARTICLE BY RUSSELL SKEET
Production photos by Sereena Burton, Thames
To be featured on ‘Heritage Rescue’ TV show...
KIWI OWNED
SINCE 1869
THE PLACE
TO MEET
FREE WIFI
bistro • bar • accommodation
POLLEN STREET • THAMES • Ph 868 6008
GREAT KIWI FOOD
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GREAT KIWI FOOD
GREAT KIWI SERVICE
GREAT KIWI ENTERTAINMENT
FREE WIFI bistro • bar • accommodation
POLLEN STREET • THAMES • Ph 868 6008
KIWI OWNED
SINCE 1869
THE PLACE
TO MEET
PHOTO BY CHARLOTTE GIBLIN
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