The Harness Racing Museum at the Ashburton Raceway has become more unique than ever.
It has become the only museum solely dedicated to harness racing in the country, following the New Zealand Trotting Hall of Fame closing down at Alexandra Park in Auckland recently.
Curating the museum has been a labour of love for Edith Paterson, who took over as volunteer caretaker role from her late husband Ron, who passed away in 2021.
‘‘This was his pride and joy,’’ Edith said.
The museum is in the raceway’s historic Tea Kiosk, which is almost as unique as the museum itself.
Tea kiosks were traditionally constructed at racecourses as a place for ladies to gather, away from the throngs of raucous betting and drinking men.
But many have been demolished; Ashburton’s remains one of only a very few still in use in New Zealand today.
Some of the memorabilia displayed is as old as the building, constructed in 1915.
There are photos, drivers’ colours, trophies, medals, books and newspaper cuttings spanning the racing history of Mid Canterbury and the wider South Island.
‘‘The families donate them, they don’t seem to have space. So here is somewhere for them to go,’’ Edith said.
The kiosk is open on trial and race days, for people to view the museum and have some well-priced food and beverages from the kiosk kitchen and bar. The quaint wooden building also has the original ladies restrooms, complete with seating.
One of Edith’s jobs most recently has been displaying racing colours around the top of the museum walls. There are 140 sets of colours worn by drivers from throughout New Zealand who have raced at the Ashburton raceway.
The kiosk it is often used as a venue for functions. Recently Ashburton Pakeke Lions Club, which Ron was a member of, had its monthly meeting there. Today Edith is a social member of the club.
Edith said it was good to see the building used for this purpose, and to see many visiting on race and trial days, as it gave people the opportunity to view the museum.
‘‘It’s open for everybody to get to know it as a museum,’’ Edith said. ‘‘It does get forgotten about, the little old tea kiosk, but it’s serving a purpose and that’s what we like.’’
