11 Surf Highway, Manaia, South Taranaki
Two doors up from the Mormon church on the stretch of the Surf Highway that goes less fast through the strip town of Manaia, is a real reason to slow down, the Taranaki Country Music Hall of Fame. The uniqueness of the former Manaia Band Hall is flagged by a plethora of signs out front and it's interesting construction.
A 1912 build, the hall has also served as hospital, movie theatre, dance venue, Girl Guides hall and a builders workshop. The owners, Country Music singers Helen and Ian Braithwaite took over in 2002, turned it to their purposes and appear to be enjoying themselves very much, along with all the visitors. This is no dead and dusty museum, Resident Band Club Evenings are open to all comers on the second Saturday of the month at 1.30pm and every Thursday evening at 7pm. The setup is friendly and convivial and seriously COUNTRY.
Perhaps the grooviest thing about this rockin' little museum is that it doesn't limit it self at all by geography, instead celebrating country music and musicians from far and wide with an array of memorabilia.
Local stuff is on show here too and again there are few limits, historical artefacts from all aspects of South Taranaki life having sneaked in and onto displays.
Fans visiting here; NZPlaces would love to have your impressions and images for this page.
Nearby this Place
Featured Nearby
Featured Nearby