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Friends of the Taranaki Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum Committee
More details re the purpose of this comittee will
be added later but the donation button is live and connected to paypal
History of the Museum
Bringing you Face to face with the Country Music Legends of our time.
The Hall was originally built in 1912 to serve as a band hall for the Manaia Town Council.
It was later used as a hospital
in 1919 and in 1953 as a picture theatre after the Manaia Town Hall burnt down.
Over the years the Hall has been used for tap and highland dancing, Girl Guides and a builders workshop.
On 14 September 1992, Pam Willing
opened the doors of the Taranaki Country Music Hall of Fame to the public, in honour of the memory of her two sisters, Violet Kennedy and Irene Price.
World renown country musicians, Helen and Ian Braithwaite purchased the Hall on 20 September 2002 and expanded on Pam’s vision.
Helen and Ian have toured overseas performing and have
recorded two albums that are played on radio stations
internationally. The current Hall patron is Bryan Vickery
The Hall is adorned with collections of photographs of
famous country music stars from around the world,
displayed in antique mirror frames.
Displays also include farming memorabilia of New
Zealand’s yesteryear and household items that bring back
memories of the good ol’ days singing around the piano.
The Friends of the TaranakiCountry Music Museum
& Entertainment Venue
The Best in the West
One of a kind in New Zealand
The committee was setup to raise funds to replace old sound cand lighting control panel and speakers etc and to help with the maintenance of this Grand old lady
The building itself is subjected to council building compliances relating to earthquake building by laws.
The other major aim of this committee is to raiose funds to purchase new exhibits for the museum.
The committee would appreciate any donation large or small of cash which can be donated on line via the donate button at bottom of page.
Any also welcomes any donations of exhibits worthy of a place in this museum . If you wish to donate a item pleas contact Helen and Ian Braithwaite via the contact link on the Contact Page of this web site.
Over the years many thousands have visited this Hall/Museum from all over the globe.
If you are one of those people with memories of your visit or visits or intend to be a visitor in the future feel free to contribute to apiece of history worthy of preserving.
To make a donation via Paypal using your Credit Credit or Debit card or Bank account thru Paypal please click on the below Donate button .
If you do not have a Paypal account click on donate button and it it tell you how to it only takes a couple of minutes and is free and a very safe way of making payments over the internet.
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