Ian Hutton, The Lord Howe Island Signal

Since 1978 the Lord Howe Island Museum has acquired many valuable artefacts reflecting the long human history story of the Island. There has been an early attempt to catalogue these artefacts on a computer-based database. This system is now obsolete and no longer supported and the new online eHive system is the most suitable platform for this to be carried out.

Libby Baker, regular visitor to the Island and the Museum, has arranged for her family foundation the KEDJE Foundation to sponsor an Island resident to carry out this project putting the LHI Museum artefacts on eHive Lord Howe Island Museum.

Cataloguing the artefacts held at the Museum has many benefits including:

• Collating all of the known information about each artefact; such as the owner, the donor, where and how it was used, where it was manufactured, its significance to the Lord Howe Island Story.
• Having a permanent up to date record of the artefacts held in the LHI Museum collection.
• Placing the Museum collection online, so that researchers and interested persons can find out about the items held at the Lord Howe Island Museum.
• Providing information about the LHI Museum artefact collection for highlighting its significance.
• Having the collection online available may prompt donors to donate items to the Museum collection.

The project which will involve:

• Locating and permanently numbering each item with a unique catalogue number.
• Identifying and photographing each item with file name to link to its unique number.
• Recording physical attributes of each item – dimensions, materials, markings, condition etc.
• Researching history about each item – from existing information held at the Museum, and interviewing Museum committee members, curator, older Island residents.
• Entering this information on the web based eHive system.

There are already about 60 items on eHive website – so take a look and see what is there, and as time goes on more will be added. The Museum committee is very grateful for this sponsorship from the KEDJE Foundation.

The Annual General Meeting of the Lord Howe Island Historical Society & Museum Inc will be held at the Museum at 5.00pm 18 October 2023.

Nomination forms for the election of office bearers are available at the Museum reception desk. Forms should be completed and returned to the Museum or to Robyn Warner no later than 11/10/23.

The Museum is a showcase for the natural and cultural history of the Island. It is also a meeting place for the local and tourist community to enjoy over lunch or coffee.

Please give your support by membership and attendance at the Annual General Meeting.

Individual membership $12; Family membership $25; Business membership $60.

Online payment can be made: Lord Howe Island Historical Society and Museum Inc. 

This article appeared in The Lord Howe Island Signal, 30 September 2023.