Turning the Page - Seeing the Light: A Suffrage Day Talk

Celebrating Women's Suffrage Day 2019.

Archives NZ & the National Library of NZ are holding a special 'Connecting to Collections' presentation in September to mark Women’s Suffrage Day 2019.

The He Tohu exhibition displays several constitutional documents from Archives New Zealand’s holdings, including the Women’s Suffrage Petition—but unlike the others, the Petition scroll is moved on regularly to show new signatures. Anna Whitehead explains the preservation reasons why this is the case, and Stef Lash uncovers some insights into the newly-revealed signatories on display.

Conservation Clinic
Following Anna and Stef's talk there will be an opportunity to get preservation advice on the care, handling and storage of your treasured family items from Field Conservator Vicki-Anne Heikell. Please note that conservators are not able to provide valuations.For more information see https://natlib.govt.nz/events/national-preservation-office-conservation-clinic-september-19-2019

About the speakers
Anna works at Archives New Zealand as a conservator, her specialisms are book and paper conservation. Her role is to preserve the Nation’s documentary heritage material and her most exciting role to date in New Zealand is as Archives NZ’s lead conservator for the He Tohu exhibition.

Stefanie Lash, Principal Advisor Strategy and Planning at Archives NZ, was the Lead Curator of He Tohu, and has a special interest in the social history behind the enfranchisement of New Zealand women.

Photograph of conservators moving the Women's Suffrage Petition in the He Tohu exhibition at the National Library.