Telling our local stories

We conserve and protect the history of our community.

The Historical Society has existed since 1965, with Mayor, Ted Calkin as President for the first 10 years, and Paul Melody, Editor of the Rangitikei Mail (1955-88), Society Co-Founder and President from 1979, which was the same year he published “They called it Marton”. Maureen Velvin was the main historian for many years.

It's objectives are to:

 investigate and record the history and background of the town of Marton and surrounding district,

 to promote, foster and encourage interest among residents in that history and background,

 to provide facilities for that purpose, to acquire land and buildings, and then furnish and equip them.

We are responsible for heritage buildings including: Captain Cook Pioneer Cottage, a restored 1869 homestead; a General Store - a former police cell block; Snellgrove Barn - a restored 1863 furniture factory.