About Us

Wallace Early Settlers Association began in 1924. It was the intention of the founders that the Association would be charged with the responsibility for preserving the history of the Western District of Southland - and this is still its objective. Click on "Research", in the lefthand side index, to see how our research department can help you trace ancestors, and photos and information. We are situated in Te Hikoi Southern Journey, Heritage Museum.

Wallace Early Settlers initiated the project to improve the housing of their extensive collection. To achieve this ambitious project, the Riverton Heritage and Tourist Centre Trust was formed to raise the funds needed. With the help from Venture Southland and Ian Donalson, of Teamwork South, the five year project was soon under way. Rivertonians brought into the project with a huge $450,000 of donations. Nigel Ogle, from Tawhiti Museum in Taranaki, one of the finest private museums in the world, has been our mentor. Nigel and son Geremy have constructed most of the life size figures. Use of talented scenic artist, Andy King of Dunedin, and set builder, Ken Turner, ensured that displays were of the highest standard. The manequins were made by Peter Jackson's Weta Productions, at a cost of $9,000 each!

The 1.7 million dollar project was opened on the 8th December 2007, by the Prime Minister, Helen Clark. It is an unique Heritage Museum, a "must see" on the Southern Scenic Route.

The Western Star, our eight page community paper, has been in production since February 1996. Published around the fourth Tuesday of each month, it features activities and other items of interest in and around Riverton. Although free copies are readily available in the district and are distributed to letter boxes, subscription copies are distributed for a small fee, $15, nation wide and $20, overseas.

The Western Star was published privately up to three times a week from 1873-1943, when it became hard to get both manpower and paper. The present organisation seeks to preserve the historical nature of the original papers which complements the important place Riverton holds in the history of this southern settlement. Copies of most of the editions are held by the Wallace Early Settler Association, situated in Te Hikoi Southern Journey Heritage Museum.