New Zealand Listener - May 26, 2018

MAY 26 2018 LISTENER 25

wider Hauts-de-France region, the Trust was

offered the former gendarmerie.

The site seemed ideal. Two hours by train

from Paris, Le Quesnoy lies on the edge of

WWI tourist trails that attract hundreds of

thousands of visitors each year – in 2014,

revenue from battlefield tourism in north-

ern France was more than $12 million. A

physical museum would tie in with the

new app-based Ngā Tapuwae New Zealand

First World War Trails Project structure, and

could also attract some of the 15,000 or so

Kiwis who travel to France each year.

Le Quesnoy Mayor Marie-Sophie Lesne

told the Listener the museum will tighten

ties between the townspeople and New

Zealand. “A lot of New Zealanders come

every year as it is, but we need to keep this

relationship going, to develop more tourist

visits to remember history and our link to

New Zealand.”

The people of Le Quesnoy, she says, are

enthusiastic about the potential for residen-

cies for students, artists, writers and cultural

groups in the historic grounds and forging

closer ties with New Zealand.

“It’s a beautiful building, very French, a

bit like a chateau. Everyone is very impa-

tient to see it happen.”

ANNEX PLANS

But there is work to do. The museum needs

to be fitted out and linked to a new pur-

pose-built annex, which is being designed

by Auckland architect Malcolm Brown. It

will provide extra display space, room for a

cafe, gift shop and tourist centre, and dis-

ability access.

The maisonettes – “somewhat tired but

structurally sound”, says Farrant – will be

refurbished to serve as self-catering accom-

modation for staff, visitors, school parties

and tour groups, and there is potential

for academic and cultural residencies and

exchanges with New Zealand.

The overall cost, including the purchase

price, is expected to be about $15 million.

Last year, while still working through the

tax-deductibility rules, the trust launched

its fundraising effort. Already Westpac has

committed $250,000 towards development

costs, and other donations are coming

in. Once it is operational, the museum is

unlikely to generate a profit – as McKinnon

says, museums typically don’t make money

on their own – but annual operating costs

are expected to be offset by revenue from

accommodation, commercial ventures in

the annex and a modest entry fee.

“It is going to happen, 100%,” says

Pettit. “The trust is realistic about what it

can achieve, but $15 million is absolutely

achievable. It’s not too scary – with so much

attachment throughout the country, we will

raise the money comfortably.”

The refurbished museum will not be open

in time for this year’s centenary of the battle

for Le Quesnoy as had been planned, but

the occasion will be marked on site with an

official launch and a tour of the prospective

museum and grounds.

“In November, we are going to celebrate

the centenary,” says Lesne. “We are going

to involve the children, the schools, volun-

teers, everyone. A new page of our cultural

life is about to open.” l

Special thanks to our French colleague Johanne

Kendall.

ALEXANDER TURNBULL LIBRARY; BROWN DAY GROUP ARCHITECTS

1. The Listener
   announced the
   project in a February
   2015 story. 2. The
   former gendarmerie
   will reopen as a
   museum. 3. The
   moat and ramparts
   today. 4. Architect
   Malcolm Brown’s
   mock-up of the
   annex. 5. Le Quesnoy
   Mayor Marie-Sophie
   Lesne welcomes
   “a new page in our
   cultural life”.

“There are plenty of

graves, but no tangible

home where New

Zealanders can go and

hear their story told.”

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