Maree Henry from Henry Trading is our contributor for this winter’s Local Eyes exhibition. Maree has run her business in the old Mahar’s Drapery building at 33 London Street since the earthquakes. Maree is an avid supporter of craftspeople and artists and often hosts small exhibitions in her carefully curated gift store.

The Mahar’s building dates from post 1870, when the ‘Great Fire’ of Lyttelton destroyed an earlier building on the site. With its hip roof, street verandah and iron cladding outside and sash windows, stunning pressed tin ceilings and wide floorboards inside, it is a wonderful reminder of early Lyttelton architecture. Along with the Library, it is the proposed new Museum’s closest neighbour, and Maree is excited about the prospect of being alongside the new Museum.

We invited Maree to choose some images from Te Ūaka’s online collection. Maree’s response illustrates the different ways in which people can engage with the Collection - we all bring our own interests and backgrounds to history and Maree’s is a unique perspective.