Interactive makeover for Rutherford Cottage

Founders Heritage Park’s Rutherford Cottage now has an interactive and fun way of exploring the
life and science of its namesake, Ernest Rutherford, 1st Baron Rutherford of Nelson.

The cottage, a 1/3rd scale replica of Baron Rutherford’s childhood home in Brightwater, reopened on Tuesday 13 April with a new display of interactive “experiments” illustrating the Nobel prize-winning physicist’s findings.

The exhibit was created with the help of Rutherford Rotary, which contributed $3150, plus time and expertise to paint and build elements of the exhibit, and a further $14,300 of funds raised through the annual Founders

Book Fair.

Chief among the new exhibits is a unique, pinball style game that explains Rutherford’s gold foil experiment. 

The game was designed and created by Doug Makinson, an Auckland-based expert who develops activities, equipment and interactive museum exhibits that explore the science of the physical world. 

It is the only one of its kind in the country.

Other activities include a plasma ball, magnetic atom wall and iPad with science apps for children. 

Interpretation panels describe Rutherford’s life and work.

Rutherford Rotary Trust Chair Ian Catto put forward the idea of updating and enhancing the cottage to honour the club’s namesake, and it resonated with then Rutherford Rotary President and current Councillor Trudie Brand.

“This is an exciting new development for the cottage, showcasing not just Rutherford’s life, but also his work through interactive science-based activities and experiments. The hands-on activities explain complicated pieces of science in really clever and simple ways, making it an awesome place for young people to explore and learn”, Councillor Brand says.

To help keep the exhibit fresh and interesting, Rutherford Rotary will make an annual donation to the cottage to add more science “experiments” in future years.