“…everything has a past. Everything – a person, an object, a word, everything. If you don’t know the past, you can’t understand the present and plan properly for the future.”
Chaim Potok, Davita’s Harp
The Alexander Heritage & Research Library | Te Rerenga mai o te Kāuru houses a comprehensive Whanganui history collection. These heritage collections, cared for by Whanganui District Library, constitute a part of our community’s collective memory bank. They comprise a quantity of unique, irreplaceable documents and photographs, together with a store of associated knowledge, information and reference materials compiled over the years.
We collect books, newspapers, photographs, pamphlets and other published material about Whanganui people, organisations & events.
We also have a special collection of local military archives and free access to leading family history databases Ancestry Library & Find My Past.
By preserving and providing access to the collections the Library enables people now, and into the future, to connect or reconnect to their families’ and community’s stories.
Alexander Library | Te Rerenga Mai o Te Kauru
Pukenamu/Queen’s Park, Corner Campbell and Cameron Terrace
P: 06 349 1000
E: heritage@whanganuilibrary.com
The home of Whanganui District Library’s heritage, whakapapa and research services.
Monday to Friday: 9:30 am to 5:00 pm
Saturday and Sunday: closed