Sir Ed’s historic ice axe lies neglected in museum corner
June 13th, 2010 - 1:36 pm ICT by ANIWellington, June 13 (ANI): Sir Edmund Hillary’s ice axe, used by him in his historic ascent of Mt Everest, is lying neglected in a museum stairwell next to cardboard boxes and coffee cups.
Auckland War Memorial Museum received the axe from Sir Edmund’s widow, Lady June Hillary, in 2008 on the condition it be permanently displayed.
However, the tool now languishes beside a nondescript display case containing ceramic pots and cups and a cardboard box that once contained Crown Lynn “fine coffeeware”.
But museum spokeswoman Laura Westphal said the box and cups had “absolutely no connection with Hillary and his axe”.
According to her, the axe was moved to the stairwell after a more prominent display of Hillary artefacts ended.
“This isn’t an ideal permanent exhibition - it’s not wheelchair accessible - and we don’t plan it to be there forever,” The New Zealand Herald quoted Westphal, as saying.
Hillary’s son Peter said: “I haven’t seen the display … I’m not going to make a comment until I’ve seen the thing myself.” (ANI)
- Mt Everest! That's the height of British colonialism (With Image) - Jun 14, 2011
- Sir Edmund Hillarys first death anniversary to be private family affair - Jan 04, 2009
- Bravehearts write new records on Mt Everest - May 07, 2011
- Indian schoolboy rewrites history on the Himalayas - May 20, 2011
- Everest to be Edmund Hillary's last resting place - Apr 01, 2010
- Super Sherpa climbs Everest for incredible 20th time - May 22, 2010
- Sir Edmund Hillary's Rolex watch up for grabs - Nov 02, 2010
- India's youngest Everest hero now an author - Nov 19, 2010
- Indians among top Everest conquerors - Jul 15, 2011
- Seven New Zealand locations short-listed for Sir Edmund's honour - Apr 24, 2010
- Sir Edmund Hillary's widow asked to return Rolex watch put up for auction - Nov 12, 2010
- Everest to be child's play? Or not any more? - Jun 08, 2010
- Everest superstar eyes 20th summit - Mar 12, 2010
- Hillary's widow told to return watch put up for auction - Nov 12, 2010
- Rift in Sir Edmund Hillary's family - Nov 07, 2010
Tags: artefacts, ascent, auckland war memorial museum, axe, cardboard box, cardboard boxes, ceramic pots, coffee cups, crown lynn, display case, hillary in 2008, laura westphal, mt everest, new zealand herald, sir edmund hillary, spokeswoman, war memorial, war memorial museum, wellington, widow lady