Historic homemade telescope by Whanganui astronomy pioneer Joseph Ward on display

Whanganui Regional Museum social and natural history curator Maeve Egan will give a talk on the century-old telescope crafted by amateur Whanganui astronomer Joseph Thomas Ward. Photo / Karen Hughes

A taonga made by one of New Zealand’s trailblazers is in the spotlight at Whanganui Regional Museum.

The homemade telescope is the handiwork of Whanganui amateur astronomer Joseph Thomas Ward.

Ward championed astronomy in New Zealand when its popularity was growing but the high cost of equipment made it widely inaccessible.

He found ways to circumvent steep prices by building his own telescopes – including the one at the museum, which he fashioned out of a drainpipe around 1900.

Museum social and natural history curator (kaihāpai taonga) Maeve Egan will give a talk on the artefact on Friday, March 20, as part of the museum’s Object of the Month series.

“This telescope reminds us that scientific discovery doesn’t always begin with expensive equipment – it begins with curiosity,” Egan said.

The telescope, with associated lenses, a prism and a small field telescope, was donated to the museum by Ward’s grandson, Ash Ward.

Whanganui amateur astronomer Joseph Thomas Ward crafted the telescope from a drainpipe. Photo / Kathy Greensides

Egan said her interest was instantly sparked after realising the scale of Joseph Ward’s impact in New Zealand.

“Joseph Ward’s passion for astronomy and his determination to make it accessible helped shape Whanganui’s scientific community.”

Born in 1862, Ward immigrated to New Zealand from London as a teenager.

He settled in Whanganui with his wife, Ada Evelyn Wright, in 1894 and opened a bookshop and stationery business – but astronomy was his true passion.

He helped found the Whanganui Astronomical Society and was its first president.

As president, he spearheaded the building of the Whanganui Observatory at Cooks Gardens in 1903. It is now known as the Ward Observatory.

Ward was named the honorary director of the observatory.

He studied double stars there with his assistant, Whanganui lawyer Thomas Allison, and many of their observations are recognised in international star catalogues today as “Ward doubles”.

Ward is credited with building the first astronomical telescopes in New Zealand and became one of the most prominent producers of telescopes in the country.

He opened the observatory to the public, gave lectures and wrote weekly news columns to make astronomy accessible to the public.

He died in 1927, leaving a legacy as one of the most influential amateur astronomers of the 20th century in New Zealand.

“His story is one of ingenuity, perseverance and vision,” Egan said.

Receiving the artefact inspired her to take a greater interest in astronomy, she said.

“It was such a fantastic object to display in our museum to remember his legacy.”

The telescope will be on display in the Whanganui by Design exhibition.

“[It is] a perfect representation of design and innovation in Whanganui.”

Friday’s 15-minute talk starts at 12.15pm. It is free to attend.

Object of the Month (Taonga o te Marama) is a new series by the museum launched in February. An item from the museum’s collection is featured in a short lunchtime talk on the third Friday of each month.

More information is available on the Whanganui Regional Museum’s website and Facebook page.

Erin Smith is a multimedia journalist based in Whanganui.