Welcome to the Whanganui Vintage Radio Museum, with its collection that has has evolved from a long-time fascination with radios by Graham Hawtree.

Graham has collected, bought, repaired and revitalised many old radios and now has a collection that is the envy of radio enthusiasts.

The collection now numbers over 500 valve and battery radios ranging in age from 1918 through to the late 1940’s.

The Museum project was in the pipeline for a number of years, starting back around 1960. It has taken some 60 odd years to get to this point! What started out as a fascination turned out over the years to be a desire to help preserve these historic radios.

Without the help of not only Graham's very understanding and supportive wife Val, but also the contribution by several other people, this museum may not have been possible.

Visits to the museum are by appointment only.

Entry is FREE so give us a call on 027 453 7744 or e-mail grahamandval1@xtra.co.nz to arrange a time.

A visit will bring back memories of times when sitting and listening to shows such as the ‘Goons’, or ‘Life With Dexter’  …….  or even back to the war years when Winston Churchill was ‘live’ and relaying his famous speeches to the world.

Come and have a look at home entertainment before computers and video games and when ‘sitting around the radio’ was the greatest treat and pastime!

RADIOS WANTED

We are always interested in adding to our collection. So if you have a ‘vintage’ radio that you would like to sell or donate to the museum, please call us to discuss – regardless of the condition as we may be able to repair it if not working.