- Date
- 8 Dec 2003 - 08 Dec 2003
- By
- Curtis, Alan James, 1946-; Wishart, Megan Louise, 1966-
- Ref
- OHInt-0899-21
- Description
Interview with Alan Curtis, born in Auckland in 1946. Recalls taking trams and trolley buses to school. Talks about joining the Auckland Model Railway Club in 1961 and beginning his involvement with the Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT) in 1962 when he was still at school. Refers to MOTAT first opening in 1963, Wellington trams starting to arrive in 1964, and laying of the tracks starting the same year. Refers to being project manager in the restoration of Wellington tram 135 later. Talks about the Model Railway Club printing newsletters on increasingly sophisticated machinery, and Bob Stevens' drawings of rail and tramway vehicles. Mentions Harold Stone, and Jeep (Anthony) Haling of the Tram Group.
Talks about the setting up of the MOTAT Society, and talks about the differences between management and volunteers. Recalls crowds attending the live days, demonstrations by the Fire Section, and Harold Stone's book "The Museum makers". Discusses the separateness of the sections versus the whole museum. Recalls the completion of the Science and Technology Centre and the tension between history and science. Refers to becoming more involved with the pioneer village, being part of the museum management when Michael Jameson was director, financial problems, and subsequent directors. Mentions the change from a Society to a Trust, being chairman for a period, and Beca Carter setting up a strategic plan. Talks about the MOTAT Act, Council input and funding. Compares the first 35 years of struggle with the next five years with "millions spent".
Interviewer(s) - Megan Wishart
Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-019921 - OHC-019922
Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 Electronic document(s) - abstract. 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 1.35 Hours and minutes Duration.
Physical Description: Textual file - Microsoft Word
Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-6918, OHDL-000447.
Search dates: 1946 - 2003
- Additional description
Original recordings not available for playback. Surrogate copies will be provided.
Alternative form available: Both printed and digital versions of the abstract are available
- Use/Reproduction
- Public use may require the written permission of the copyright holder Copyright: Copyright is held by MOTAT
- Access restrictions
- Partly restricted material
- Part of
- MOTAT Volunteers oral history project
- Format
- 2 C60 cassette(s), 1 Electronic document(s) - abstract, 1 printed abstract(s), 1 interview(s), 1.35 Hours and minutes Duration, Oral histories, Electronic records (Digital records), Electronic documents, Textual file - Microsoft Word
There are 5 items in total.
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There are 5 items in this group.
From:
MOTAT Volunteers oral history project
Ref:
OHDL-001899
Description:
Comprises captioned colour photograph of Alan Curtis standing in his office taken in 2003.
Quantity: 1 Electronic document(s).
Date:
8 Dec 2003
From:
MOTAT Volunteers oral history project
Ref:
OHA-6918
Description:
Interviewer(s) - Megan Wishart
Quantity: 1 printed abstract(s).
Date:
8 Dec 2003
From:
MOTAT Volunteers oral history project
Ref:
OHDL-000447
Description:
Interviewer(s) - Megan Wishart
Quantity: 1 Electronic document(s).
Date:
8 Dec 2003
From:
MOTAT Volunteers oral history project
Ref:
OHC-019922
Description:
Interviewer(s) - Megan Wishart
Arrangement: Tape sequence - 2 of 2
Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s).
Date:
8 Dec 2003
From:
MOTAT Volunteers oral history project
Ref:
OHC-019921
Description:
Interviewer(s) - Megan Wishart
Arrangement: Tape sequence - 1 of 2
Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s).
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