Hocken Collections
#200 Do - a free tour of the Hocken Library and learn of all the treasure it holds! Born in England, Dr Thomas Morland Hocken arrived in Dunedin in 1862. He became one of Dunedin's leading physicians, especially known for his care of women and children. Dr Hocken was a passionate collector of books, newspapers, pamphlets, maps, paintings, photographs and manuscripts relating to New Zealand, the Pacific and the settlement of Otago. In 1897 Dr Hocken decided to gift his collection to the public, and in March 1910 the Hocken Wing at the Otago University Museum opened. The collection has continued to grow, and now includes 2 million photographs, 17000 artworks and 250000 published works in the public library on Anzac Ave (in what was a dairy factory!). Every Wednesday at 11am and 2pm there is a fascinating one hour tour of the Hocken. Very interesting to see the artworks and the lovely old books, to learn of the ephemera collection, all these references available to all of us 'without any fee or charge' as per Dr Hocken's wish. Amazing to think it all began with one very generous local.
